Within a year after it was lost off the coast of Maui, Hawaii, the UD class ring was found in 30 feet of water. But, the ring would complete an eight-year odyssey before it was reunited last fall with its owner, Hal Bennett, AS '74, of Dover, Del.
Visiting Maui in 1990 on a company-sponsored vacation, Bennett and his family had spent a day sailing and snorkeling. To amuse his young children, Bennett was throwing bread balls into the water to attract fish when his ring slipped off his finger.
A year later, Bernie Tulensru of Makawao, Hawaii, found the ring at the bottom of a coral reef when he dived down to set his boat anchor. He placed it in a dish with other "found" treasures. One Halloween, his son, Adam, thought the ring would add authenticity to his Power Ranger costume, and it became one of Adam's favorite, though frequently misplaced, possessions.
According to a note from Adam's mother, Cynthia, the ring traveled with the family up and down the states of California and Nevada in 1996 and "many times I'd find your ring in the lawn or the flower beds where Adam would play." The ring also turned up in the washing machine and behind furniture and, once, in a deep sandbox just as a moving van arrived to transport the family's furnishings.
The moving van experience prompted Cynthia to try to locate the ring's owner. She called Debbie Kilby, a secretary in the Dean of Students' office. Kilby asked staff in the Office of Alumni and University Relations to match the initials on the ring to one of the 3,000 graduates in the Class of 1974.
After eight years, Bennett was reunited with his ring, which he says was in "as good condition as the day I lost it." Bennett says he sent some UD T-shirts and hats to the Tulensru family and received a Christmas card in return. He says he is thinking of leaving the ring to Adam in his will.