Obituary of Karl F. Bender

Karl F. Bender, 87, of Bovina, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 24, 2024, with his loved ones at his side.

Born on June 24, 1936, in Amityville, NY, the son of the late Irmgard Schneider and Karl Ludwig Bender. 

He graduated from Babylon High School on Long Island in 1954 and married his loving wife of 63 years, Lois Bender, in 1960.

For many years Karl worked at Grumman Aerospace in Bethpage and Garden City, where he focused on the wing assemblies of both the F-14 Tomcat fighter jet and the A6E Intruder as well as other similar aircraft.  Karl was extremely proud of this work and was always willing to share his in-depth knowledge of not only aviation but his other passions; trains and automobiles, especially Fords, he was a FORD man.

After Karl, Lois and family (daughter Debbie and sons Donald, Kevin and Eric) moved to the Delhi, NY area in 1972, building their own house, he continued his work with Grumman, commuting back and forth each week until he was hired at Wickham’s Ford Dealership in Delhi, starting as a Mechanic and in a short time promoted to Service Manager. 

As proud as Karl was of his career, he was a family man.  His kind, calm, easy going disposition came with a strong sense of humor which he willingly shared.  The twinkle in his eye was a giveaway that he had a joke or two to share, while some were better than others, he had fun delivering them all.  Karl was always busy, if he wasn’t under the hood of a family car, he was helping his children with varying projects which he very much enjoyed because it provided him more time with his 4 children, 8 grandchildren and his 8 grand “kiddies”.  He always had a smile on his face when around his family and very much enjoyed the many family gatherings.

Besides his parents, Karl was predeceased by his brother Dieter Bender.

He is survived by his wife: Lois Albers Bender;  along with his children: Debbie and Wayne Oliver, Donald and Bilijo Bender, Kevin and Michelle Bender and Eric and Kelley Bender; his grandchildren: Ryan and Meghan Oliver, Samantha and Justin Burruss, Chadwick and Jackie Oliver, Mackenzie and Benjamin Tarpey, Sara and Emily Bender, Justin and Jordan Bender; his great-grandchildren: Ivy Oliver, Jeanette, Clair and Grace Burruss, Emilia and Cailyn Oliver, Maxwell and Daniel Tarpey; and his brother: James Bender.

At Karl’s request there will be no calling hours or funeral services.

Contributions in memory of Karl can be made to Helios Care(www.helioscare.org) who respectfully and lovingly cared for Karl and Lois over the past few months.

Please visit www.macarthurfh.com to share a condolence with Karl’s family.