VILLAGE MEMBER STORIES

Alan Bennett, Durham

What prompted your move to the Seacoast area in 2014? 

Moving to the Seacoast was like coming back home. I was born, grew up and educated in Boston. I did my residency at PBBH and I was on the faculty at Harvard until 1978. After that, we lived in Pittsburgh, Albany, NY and New Jersey until 2014. Our three children all remained New Englanders.

What did you do professionally?

After attending medical school, I served as a combat surgeon in Vietnam from 1965-66. I then went on to be a full-time academic professor of surgery at Harvard, University of Pittsburgh, and Albany Medical College until 1994. I then served as the VP of Clinical Affairs of CR Bard Corporation in NJ until retirement in 2000. 

How do you view retirement? 

I've been retired from medicine for so long, it's hard to count the years - coming up to 23! For me, "retirement" was getting another job. I was on several boards and was elected to Durham's Town Council from 2016-2019. Until two years ago, I was VP of the Board of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail and spend a good part of the late spring, summer and early fall in the Adirondacks (Raquette Lake). It's pretty much wilderness up there and the nearest medical facility is 50-60 miles, so I keep my medical license active and help when the need arises. I build and repair ship models and am active at the Portsmouth Athenaeum. Weather related activities include rowing/paddling and golf. Tried pickle ball but that's a good way for seniors to get injured!

How does the Village fit into your long-term plan? 

As far as the Seacoast Village Project, I think I might be able to help other members negotiate the difficulties of our health care system. As far as a long term plan, I'm pretty healthy and have a very reliable nearby family should problems occur. Meeting like-minded seniors in the greater seacoast region is a positive. At 85+, I seem to be losing more dear ones than gaining!

If you were to encourage a friend to become a Village member, what would you tell them?

As far as promoting the project to others, it's a little too early, and I've only attended two meetings, but I'm optimistic. I'm not a NH native and live in an isolated community, most of whom are much younger than I.

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