Thomas Benjamin Bennin, 84, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away on Oct. 22, 2025. He was born June 10, 1941, in St. Nazianz, WI to William and Jean (Burdick) Bennin. On Aug. 22, 1964, he married Janice M. Hein in Manitowoc. They treasured each other for over 61 years. Tom graduated from Kiel High School in 1959. After graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving in Germany for four years, where he worked on the Nike Hercules missiles. Upon discharge from the military, he studied at the University of WI Manitowoc and the University of WI Oshkosh and graduated as a high school biology teacher. After teaching for one year while also having to work at a tire manufacturing plant to make ends meet, he decided to try something else, so he went to dental school, graduating from Marquette University’s dental program. Tom purchased a dental practice in Two Rivers and practiced dentistry until retiring at the age of 54. He was well known for his gentle manner and softly singing to his younger patients to distract them from painful procedures. In retirement, he and his wife enjoyed traveling across the country in their truck camper, eventually establishing homes in Mission, Texas and Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Tom was a very social man with a wide variety of talents and interests including rustic wood working, creating rock sculptures, windsurfing and sailing. He enjoyed membership in numerous organizations including the Jaycees, the Elks and the Manitowoc Yacht Club where he participated in many regattas and racing events. In Sturgeon Bay, he was a very active volunteer at Potowatomi State Park and the Run Wild events held there. Tom loved spending time with family and friends. He especially enjoyed teasing family members and their pets. He will always be remembered as someone who made the world brighter, by bringing laughter, smiles and happiness to others. Survivors include his wife, 2 children, Lisa (Steve) Koch, Two Rivers; Chad (Barb) Bennin, Mishicot; 5 grandchildren, Gavin (Fiance Brittany), Carson, Joel (Brianna), Caden, and Ashlyn; sisters, Phyllis Klessig, Charlene (Rick) Lulloff; in-laws, Steve and Maureen Hein, Cheryl Mellberg, and Jeanelle Bennin. He was preceded in death by his brother Neil and in-laws, Erik Klessig and Ray Mellberg. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at St. Joseph Church in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Friends may call at the church from 10:00 am until the time of mass. Forbes Funeral Home & Cremations is serving the family. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.