by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Gerald Rosenbaum, affectionately known as “Kelly”, had a standout baseball career at Bennett and UB. He played from 1949-1951 at Bennett and from 1953-1956 at UB. In 1951 “Kelly” was All High as an outfielder. At UB he still holds the all time record for most runs batted in in a single inning; a mind boggling total of six in 1955. He served in the army from 1956-58 and was stationed in North Korea.
As great as his high school and collegiate records were his career as a coach in the Buffalo school system was exemplary. “Kelly” was a Physical Education teacher for many years at Lafayette High School . He coached football and baseball for 35 years. He also coached track, basketball and swimming for short periods of time. His baseball teams won Cornell Cup Championships in 1964, 1975, 1978-1981, and 1983. In addition, he was a Health Teacher in night school at Bennett from1962-1987. In racquetball, he was ranked 6th in the WNY B Racquetball League in 1978 and 1979.
“Kelly” is also a member of the Harvard Cup Football Hall of Fame, Lafayette High School Wall of Fame and the Jewish Center Wall of Fame. In 1977 he was named WNY Football Coach of the Year. “Kelly” and his wife Linda have two daughters named Jill and Wendy and four grand sons.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Richard Mieth is a retired Math teacher that taught at Bennett from 1968 -1998. He was an outstanding Cross Country coach from 1985 – 1994, winning three City Championships and the Section VI title in 1989.
Accepting the advisorship of the yearbook, The Bennett Beacon, changed his life. What had been a luke- warm attempt to use his photography skills to capture and display Bennett’s activities, now blossomed into a serious passion. One could find Dick at any and ALL sporting events and loving every minute of it.
It did not hurt his cause that in the first couple of years Bennett experienced the madness and excitement of two All-Americans coached by Larry Veronica: Lamar Smith and Curtis Aiken. Winning consecutive State titles in basketball put Bennett on the map. This much excitement turned Dick into a “ got to be there fan”.This passion lasted for the next 19 years.
In addition to sports, Dick photographed the taping of “ It’s Academic” on Channel 4 and the Saturday mornings at Downtown Court with Mr, Shapiro’s Mock Trial Team. And of course he is well remembered for his slide shows at Ben-Ken assemblies and Class Day programs.
This avid enthusiasm for all-things Bennett over a 30 year period was supported by his wife Geri, who tolerated numerous late dinners and incomplete home projects. Dick and Geri just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They are the proud parents of two successful sons, Jeff and Brian. Now the joys of their lives are their four grandchildren, Justin, Connor, Brandon and Erin.
At this time Dick volunteers his time at St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy on Buffalo’s East Side.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Richard Fink was an All-High 1st and 2nd team selection in baseball in 1972 and 1973. Hitting .565 in his senior season, Fink won the “Fred Braun Award” in 1973 recognizing him as Bennett’s male athlete of the year. Fink played Little League baseball at Shoshone Park and was inducted into the Hertel North Park Hall Of Fame in 1973. Playing the highest level of amateur baseball in WNY for 33 years, he played MUNY AAA for Mickey Rats, Travelers and Amherst in the Suburban League before retiring in 1997. Fink was captain of all three teams. Playing the last eight years for Amherst, Fink’s teams won the WNY championship 6 times. during this time he was the Kiwanis Tournament MVP in 1989 and the Amherst MVP in 1992 and 1995. His career culminated in 2007 when Fink was inducted into the WNY Baseball Hall Of Fame.
Fink also played hockey for Bennett in the inaugural season of the Explorer Hockey League. He was an All-Star selection and scored the overtime goal against Canisius H.S. that propelled Bennett into the playoff semifinals.
Scholastically, Fink maintained a grade average of 94 during his four years at Bennett, never missing an honor roll. He was also a member of the National Honor Society. Fink graduated from the University of Buffalo School of Management, on the Dean’s List with Distinction. Richard Fink resides in Getzville with his wife Karen and is still active playing basketball three times a week in some of Buffalo;s best amateur leagues.
