Scott Bennett was born in Fullerton, California in 1951 to Durham Hale “Tex” Bennett and Panalig Jose Bennett.

Scott was a long-time resident of Washington, DC, a city with a community he loved. Whether in DC, or someplace else in the world, he always wanted to be surrounded by people and made everyone feel appreciated. His dynamic personality was a magnet for people of all backgrounds, creating enduring friendships in what was lovingly called “Scottie’s World.” His world expanded through the years with more and more people who were not judged, took care of each other, and actually did the right thing. To use one of Scott’s favorite words it was “righteous.”

Scott was bigger than life itself. He loved travel, and every place he went friendships followed. He had a passion for music and channeled Mick Jagger like nobody else as the lead singer for the band "Stick and Move."

His wit and humor were communicated in his masterful cartoons that hilariously took on the political, the real and the ridiculous.

Scott loved to scuba dive and encouraged many of his friends to join him underwater. “Try it” he would say to anyone even if they didn’t want to or were afraid of the water.

DC residents could often see him cycling through the city with that beautiful hair flowing in the wind in route to watch the Nationals play ball. He was equally passionate about his Redskins (just the players, however).

But his true passion and the foundation for so many of his “Scottie’s World” friendships were food, wine, and Calvados brandy. Breaking bread with Scott was special. It didn’t matter if it was French fries or a whole roasted pig on a spit; it was a guaranteed experience. He would always finish a meal with saying “that was a fine supper.”

He was the quintessential “bar star” for years behind the bar at Cashion's Eat Place restaurant in Adams Morgan, where Scott introduced people to their new life-long friends. His special friends gathered at the end of the bar in what Scott affectionately crowned the “Dog Pound” where everyone had something to say or just wanted to have a fun place to hang with each other in their "dining room away from home."

Falafel became a focal point for Scott and his beloved wife Arianne (initially not in love with falafel), sampling the different recipes as they traveled, working towards realizing their dream of opening the Amsterdam Falafelshop in Adams Morgan in 2004. The shop magically channeled the look and feel of Amsterdam through the creativity that Scott and Arianne are known for and became a special part of people’s lives.

Scott’s world was filled with the incredible passion he felt for life, love of humanity, dreaming big, and never-ending optimism.

Scott is survived by his loving wife Arianne, who loved him endlessly, believed in his every dream, was his right hand in all his entrepreneurial endeavors, would do anything for him, swim any ocean, climb any mountain, and who grieves his loss with her whole being. Her love was only surpassed by his love for her.

He is also survived by his daughter Simone and her husband Rep who live in Florida, and his daughter Jessica, who lives in Ohio, his sister Cindy, who had strength for the whole family, keeping the family strong while her own grief was so overwhelming, his nieces (Kia and Samantha), his nephew Max, and his grandsons Nick and Alex, his brother-in-law Joel, and his mother-in-law Sari.

Scott was proud of each and every one of his family members for the shining light and true love they brought into his life.

Scott lost his valiant battle with COVID-19 on January 13, 2022, a life cut short at the young and energetic age of 70.

Scott’s final days were peaceful under the tireless care of the incredibly dedicated George Washington University Hospital doctors, nurses, and technicians who fought so valiantly to save his life while their resources and staff were stretched so thin. His loving family and friends cheered him on from near and far maintaining hope until his beautiful life in this world came to an end.

Link Video and Story: Tribute to Scott Bennett on NBC News 4 Washington

By Jackie Bensen

Aired January 14, 2022