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Dear Friends –
This morning many of us across our loved Island got the call that we knew was coming but didn’t want to receive. Our friend Lou Benfante passed away last night, with his wife Laurette by his side. Lou’s contributions to our Island are numerous, from his career at Hilton Head Hospital to his passion for Rotary to his love for the Italian Club to his contributions to his alma mater, Lehigh University. However, he is best known to me for his all-volunteer efforts to preserving, protecting and showcasing history on Hilton Head Island through his commitment to The Heritage Library.
Many of you may know Lou as “General Mitchel” or may have encountered him through a tour at Ft. Mitchel in Hilton Head Plantation, next to Old Fort Pub. Lou and I met six years ago, in 2013, through the 350/30 event which celebrated 350 years since the sighting of Hilton Head Island by Captain William Hilton and the 30th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Hilton Head Island. He opened my eyes to the rich history of our Island through his passion and wisdom for the subject. Lou had a way to share history, to make it come alive, to connect all the pieces of the puzzle that you didn’t even know existed. This sharing and connecting of people from the past to place allowed me to see our Island in a different way. And it changed the way I share Hilton Head Island with my children.
Our community is better because of his passion for preserving history and I will miss him very much.
– Heather Rath
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