Kenneth Michael Bender Obituary (2006) - St. Louis Park, Minnesota

Kenneth M. (Keva)Bender, age 90, passed away after a brief illness on July 26, 2006. Kenneth is survived by his devoted and proud wife of 52 years, Frima; loving daughters and son-in- law, Nancy Bender-Kelner and Barry Kelner, and Rebecca Bender; adoring and adored grandchildren, Marshall, Malcolm, Sage and Jackson Kelner, and Lincoln Bernhard; close brother, brothers-in-law, sisters and sisters-in-law, Dr. David and Meri Bender (Los Angeles), Frances Bernbaum (Winnipeg), Dr. Ellis and Bernice Ellison (Hillsborough, California) and Josephine and Hy Simes (Lilydale); sweet aunts, Frances Rievman (Los Angeles) and Frances Gordon (Santa Barbara), wonderful cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and surviving members of Company B, 38th Infantry, 2nd Division. Kenneth was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Mary Bender, sister, Saralee Plachte and nephew, Steven Plachte. Kenneth was born in Minneapolis in 1916 and raised in Eureka, South Dakota, where he was a forward on the Eureka Trojans Basketball Team, played clarinet in the band, sang in the Eureka Glee Club and won declamation contests. Kenneth''s parents, who had been homesteaders in Ashley, North Dakota, owned a General Store in Eureka. Upon graduation from High School in 1933, Kenneth attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a law degree in 1939. He was the ping pong and chess champion at Pioneer Hall on the U of M campus. After law school, Kenneth practiced law in Rapid City, then made the decision to become the 1st Army volunteer for World War II from McPherson County, South Dakota, entering the service as a private. After basic training at Fort Snelling, Kenneth was selected for Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he graduated in 1941 as a "90 day wonder". After training with his men as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Division, 38th Infantry (the "Rock of the Marne" regiment) at Fort Sam Houston, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He and the 15,000 men of the 2nd Infantry then moved for further training to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where maneuvers took place in temperatures of 20-40 degrees below zero. Kenneth was promoted to Captain of Company B, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division, on January 1, 1943. Company B, made up of 200 men under his command from many states, headed overseas with the rest of the 38th Infantry for additional training in Newry, Northern Ireland and later in Wales (after Norway surrendered). Kenneth "Chief" Bender''s unit landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France on D Day plus 1, (June 7, 1944), as part of the Allied invasion. For actions during his 68 straight days of combat, Captain Bender was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry by General Robertson (for getting all of his men back to safety without a casualty when they were surrounded by the enemy and cut off from the other companies). The citation read, in part: The competence, leadership and intrepid actions of this officer to infuse courage in his troops is in keeping with the highest traditions of armed forces of the United States. Captain Bender also was awarded 2 Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge and the French Legion of Honor Medal. During the war, every one of the men in Company B was either killed, captured or wounded. Kenneth felt very fortunate to have survived the combat, and very proud that he played a part in keeping America free for all people. Upon returning to the States, after reaching the rank of Major in the service, Kenneth worked in Seattle for the Veterans Administration, declined an offer from the FBI to be an agent, and then bought a general department store. The Federated Department Store, at the corner of Broadway and Bryant in North Minneapolis was the business he owned and operated for 53 years, until December 2004. While working at the Federated, in addition to selling family clothes to the public, he also provided uniforms to the Ascension Church School and gave individual compassionate service to Minnesota Veterans Home residents -- meeting their clothing needs, and engaging in supporting conversation with his fellow veterans. When he sold the Federated Store, Minneapolis Star Tribune columnist Doug Grow, wrote an article about Kenneth''s unique contribution to "the (Broadway) Avenue." Kenneth met and married Frima Gordon in 1954. It was love at first sight, though they were each with other dates at a wedding when they met. They made their home in St. Louis Park for 48 years, devoted to providing their 2 daughters with a good education, (both Nancy and Rebecca are University of Minnesota Law School graduates like their Dad) and a well rounded religious and cultural upbringing (Hebrew School, music, dance and theater). Kenneth loved playing golf, after learning the game on Eureka''s 1st golf course, with sand greens. He still holds that course record, with a 31 on the 9 hole course. He was so proud of America and his Jewish heritage. He loved his family and friends and wrote a responsive note for each card or letter received. Kenneth still maintained contact with his surviving Company B men and their wives, friends from Eureka and West Broadway. Kenneth Bender was 90, going on 70, still driving, keeping up on current events, speaking at Boy Scout meetings about his war experiences and his love of America, and happily attending his granchildren''s activities -- from ballgames to dance recitals, from ice shows to graduations, from talent shows to special school events. The last few years, Kenneth enjoyed assisting at the law firm of Bender-Kelner Wills, Trusts & Estates, P.A. and the clients were amazed by his youthfulness and friendliness. Kenneth had quiet strength. He was always a polite gentleman and kept everything in perspective, saying, "at least no one''s shooting at you." Kenneth was caring (even to strangers), determined and very hard- working. Kenneth Bender''s family, and friends of all religions, races and backgrounds will miss his positive outlook, calming manner and compassion for others, as well as his bright smile and laugh. Kenneth''s favorite president, Franklin Roosevelt, once said, "We and all others who believe in freedom as deeply as we do, would rather die on our feet than live on our knees." Kenneth Bender, and the other members of our armed forces, fought so we can live. Thank you, gentle soldier. May your trusty bronze compass continue to guide you. Like the slogan of the 2nd Infantry Division, you are "second to none." Services will be held at Adath Jeshurun Congregation, 10500 Hillside Lane West, Minnetonka, MN 55305, on Friday, July 28 at 10:30 A.M., with burial and full military honors immediately following at Temple of Aaron Cemetery, Dale at Larpenteur, Roseville. SHIVA will be held at 7 P.M. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, at the Adath Jeshurun Congregation. In lieu of flowers, donations preferred to: Talmud Torah of Minneapolis Foundation, Kenneth and Frima Bender Education Fund (for special programs educating students about American Jewish History, including the contributions of American Jewish servicemen), 4330 Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park, MN, 55416; Minnesota Veterans Home, Minneapolis (in memory of Kenneth Bender, for the Residents'' Recreation Fund), 5101 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55417; Adath Jeshurun Foundation, Kenneth and Frima Bender Fund, 10500 Hillside Lane West, Minnetonka, MN, 55305, or donor''s choice.