July 28, 1924 - February 9, 2010
Age 85, of Warsaw, died February 9, 2010 at the Wyoming County Nursing Facility in Warsaw surrounded by his loving family.
He was born July 28, 1924 in Orangeville, NY son of the late Kenneth and Frances Davis Bender. In early years, Bob worked for Morton Salt Co., the former Brown Century Knitting Mill and drove truck for Burns Express for several years. He also worked for the Wyoming County Jail as a turnkey for 19 years and as a highway worker for the New York State Department of Transportation for 18 years.
Bob was an active member of St. Michael’s Church and was a volunteer for the Wyoming County Community Hospital Auxiliary for 10 years.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Claudia Ruth Carothers in 1994, his brother, Jack Bender in 1972, his sisters, Shirley Borsching in 1995 and Arlene Proper in 2003.
Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Ruth Beardsley Bender; his children, Marcia (Jim) Lawrence of Alexander, Michael (Gail) Bender of Webster, Gloria Bender of Warsaw; his son-in-law, Joseph Carothers of Baldwinsville; 9 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, friends and wonderful neighbors. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed.
Friends may call Thursday 11 AM – 2 PM at Robinson & Hackemer Funeral Home, 246 N. Main St., Warsaw where a service will be held immediately following calling hours at 2 PM. Private burial will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Warsaw. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 3500 Winton Place, Suite 4, Rochester, NY 14623-2860 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 2805 Wehrle Drive, Suite 6, Williamsville, NY 14221. Online condolences at http://www.robinsonandhackemer.com.
February 11, 2010 : Calling Hours for Robert D. Bender - 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM - At Robinson And Hackemer Funeral Home
February 11, 2010 : Funeral Service for Robert D. Bender - 2:00 PM - At Robinson And Hackemer Funeral Home
Apr 14.10 from Mike Bender:
I love you Grandpa , You will always be in my heart. I will miss you till we meet again. You always said these are the best years of my life and I always remember those words.... You are a great and loved grandfather. Please watch over Grandma with the same care you have given the previous 64 yrs.
Feb 12.10 from Marcia Hudson:
My thoughts are with you and your family.
Feb 10.10 from Tracey McGrath:
To my dear friend,Gloria,and Mrs.Bender;
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. The memories of the times that I had briefly seen and spoke to him will forever bring a smile to my face.He was a funny man and will surely be missed by all who knew him. May your memories of times that you've shared with him,ease your pain and sorrow and also bring smiles and laughter to your faces and not tears. Keep those memories forever in your thoughts and in your hearts and cherish them deeply! I wish I could be there to comfort you both in your time of need. Please know that you both are in my thoughts and prayers.Love & prayers to you both!
Love,
Tracey
Feb 10.10 from Bronson Williams, Bethanie Milford & Gabriella Wil:
Robert Bender, my grandfather (Grandpa Bob) who passed away yesterday afternoon (2/9/2010) at the age of 85. These last several hours, it’s been tough for myself as well as the rest of your family and friends. I am so sorry that I could not be there for you and Grandma in your deepest and darkest hours and when you needed help the most. And I am terribly sorry grandpa, that I cannot be there one last time to see you and say ‘thank you’ for everything and ‘good bye,’ at least for now.
I have been trying to find the words to sum up what a great man Grandpa Bob was and still is.
I hope this will do.
For starters, I hope I didn't disappoint you too much as your grandson. You were always a father figure to me, a good, kindhearted man, and one generous individual. I always looked up to you, you were my hero and I always respected you through the good and bad times in my life. I am glad and very fortunate to have had a grandfather like you. You were one of the best in the world in my mind. I will always miss your company now and forever, miss the stories (no matter how many times you told them), and your laugh...the laugh that brought a smile to everyone's face especially when you told a joke or even just sitting just watching you laugh hard at the cartoon Tom and Jerry. That in itself made you one of the easiest people to get to know and get along with. There is so much to say about this man, but not enough space here to mention how wonderful a man he was to me and all of the lives he has touched. I will miss him so much as I already do now. Please watch over Grandma during her difficult time with you being gone and her recovering from her hip surgery. Give the Big Man upstairs a few laughs and a run for his money. Anyone else, you can give them Holy Hell. I will never forget you nor anyone else you have touched in their lives they will not forget you either. Thank you for being a part of my life and sharing it with me along with some great memories. Thank you for being you and being there when I needed it most, even when I didn't deserve it. I am very thankful too, though only on a few occasions, that you had the chance to see and meet your great grand daughter, Gabriella. That in itself means the world to me. And I speak for everyone that got to know you, even in passing, thank you for being our 'Archie Bunker.' You will be greatly missed but not forgotten.
I am not sure how to end this, but I will say this, in another time and place and another lifetime, I will look forward in seeing you once again. Please be at peace with yourself and not worry about us too much down here. But please look down on us from time to time to let us know how you are doing and that you are watching (if you turn up the volume on the TV I will definitely know it is you). God Bless you Grandpa Bob and Godspeed. Though it hurts because you are gone, I love you and will miss you always. There will never be another one quite like you.
I send my deepest condolences to the rest of my family, all of his friends and to my Grandmother Ruth Bender, who is one remarkable and strong woman. I hope we all find peace and harmony during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with Grandma and the rest of the family.
Thank you Grandpa Bob for everything.
Your Grandson always now and forever,
Bronson