Albert Bender, age 103, of Miles City passed away peacefully Monday, January 7, 2013 at his home in Miles City.
Albert was born along with his twin sister on November 28, 1909 near Friend, Nebraska, the son of George and Amelia (Bott) Bender. At the age of 4 he came to Montana where he grew up on his father’s homestead northwest of Sumatra in Rosebud County. He attended grade and high schools at Sumatra and completed a B.Ed. degree at Western College in Dillon, Montana. Later he completed the M.S. degree at Eastern Montana College in Billings, Montana. He also completed three summers of advanced study at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana and two summers at the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana.
On August 23, 1941 he married Ethel Blanche Guthrie of Absarokee, MT. Ethel and he met while attending Western Montana College during the summer of 1938. The inspiring affection and friendliness of Ethel and that of her parents and brothers was all very encouraging toward a life of happiness.
His first year of teaching was in the Antelope School eight miles north of Sumatra in Rosebud County, the same school in which he had been a student many years before. To him it was a very rewarding year of teaching as he had inspired a number of eighth grade dropouts to return and complete that grade and enter high school the following year. Among the eighth graders was his younger brother, William. He and William lived in the teacherage. The following four years he taught grades 4, 5 and 6 in Sumatra while his brother, William attended Sumatra High School, and he provided for his brother’s living expenses and studies. After William completed high school, Albert sent him to college by supporting him financially. For a short period of time Albert was asked to complete the final half of a school year as superintendent of the Sumatra schools. Albert served as principal at Washoe, MT while teaching grades 7 & 8 and coaching basketball. He was a teacher and acting principal at Park City, Montana, and at Laurel he was principal of the North School. In Miles City he served as principal of the Lincoln School the first seven years; then he served as principal of Lincoln and Highland Park schools the following two years; and finally one year as principal of Jefferson and Highland Park schools. He also taught a workshop course at MCC to about 70 teachers and parents on how to teach boys and girls who are unable to learn in the conventional classroom by using the Orton-Gillingham method. One summer he taught seven boys and girls using that method with marvelous results. He had attended a three-week workshop course of intensive training in Rochester, Minnesota at the Remedial Reading Center. His special training to help students and teachers as well as parents was very gratifying. His desire to keep learning was a continuous process in order to help boys and girls, teachers, and parents. He loved boys and girls, and he enjoyed working with teachers and parents. He appreciated good teachers who wished to get better each year. Albert did much private tutoring without pay in order to help boys and girls learn and succeed. That was his hobby.
Albert always wanted to live in Miles City. When the opportunity occurred he applied and accepted the principalship at Lincoln School. He had known Miles City had a good school system, and the people were friendly. It had a fascinating historical background, a city of culture, and excellent medical facilities. It was a city of friendly business people.
In 1977 he was honored by Western Montana College as an “Outstanding Educator of Montana.” His biography appeared in the 1974-1975 edition of the Who’s Who in the West. In 1995 he delivered the commencement address at WM College.
Albert had worked his way through college during the “Great Depression” by doing self-supporting work while attending college when jobs and money were scarce. For a while he could afford only one meal a day and little time to sleep, and very little time for study. But his wonderful background from high school helped him tremendously. While in high school, he ranked in the 98 percentile nationwide in a national high school scholarship contest. In the final high school examination of 10 original and most difficult geometry problems, Albert solved everyone correctly. All 21 other geometry students failed to pass the test. In a general H.S. grammar test while he was a freshman, he outscored all other 90 high school students, with a perfect score. In the college exemption test he scored the highest of the entering freshman class, and he was congratulated by President Davis of the college. A math professor had suggested that Albert should pursue an engineering degree, but Albert preferred helping students, teachers and parents. That math professor reported Albert was the only one able to solve the most difficult problems of the three-hour-higher-math final exam. On May 27, 2001 he delivered the commencement address at the CCDHS in Miles City.
Albert is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and his special caregiver Helen Steele. He was preceded in death by his wife Ethel in 2007 and his brothers and sisters.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Miles City. Interment will be held on Thursday, January 17, 2013 at the Mountain View Cemetery in Columbus, Montana. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge o the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 15, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday January 16, 2013
First United Methodist Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 15, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday January 16, 2013
First United Methodist Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Heather Loomis says
Will greatly miss you Mr. Bender.
Jeane Choate stokes says
I lived down 2 houses from him and he was my grade school principal. we did a lot of talking in his office while I was in school. A lot of fond memories
Denise Harvey says
A Champion of Education and Kids! Rest in Peace with your dear sweet wife.
Jordan Street Neighbor says
We will miss seeing him standing in front of his house admiring his trees
Pam (Moths) Nisley says
Compassionate, caring, sincere, dignified, kids first, these are things that come to mind as I recall Mr Bender. My elementary principal – was always intested in what was going on in our lives. Thank you Mr. bender for your positive influence. May God comfort your family.
Kay Carlson says
Over fifty years ago I met this tall tall man. After all I was a first grader so he was REALLY tall to me. He scared me by his sheer height. But I soon learned while he commanded respect as principal he had a heart of gold. On the occasion of his 100th birthday I called and told him my name. He knew immediately who I was and we enjoy a wonderful conversation reminiscing. I will always consider Albert Bender to be one of my life’s greatest blessings.
Russell Bender says
I had many occasions to talk to my cousin Albert. I was always amased at his memory, even in the last few years. I really liked talking to him about his family. Was a very interesting person and always talked about his time being an educator and the children he taught. A great man who now be with the love of his life, Ethel. May God bless him.
Lisa Bastian says
Mr Bender was an amazing Gentleman. I had the honor of meeting him in 1999 when I joined Toastmasters. He shared his Communications & Speech talents with this ‘newbee’ thus inspiring my communication skills. Thank you Mr Bender for sharing your talent & your inspiration. My condolances to your family. Peace be with you.
Fred and Tena (Ondeck says
Albert was a cousin of ours. We spent many hours with him reconstructing and documenting the family genealogy plus creating an oral history of his life. Our favorite memories are going out to the homestead cabin with him and exploring the area. He was a wonderful, kind and loving person and as an educator, contributed a great deal during his life to helping others. We will miss him so much and want to communicate with other Benders to share the family history. Family members can contact me (Tena) at ondeckt@hotmail.com.
Baugatz family says
Such a wonderful man,very caring and loving man. I Got to know him and Ethel when they lived at parkview caring assisted living and he was very loving to his wife and he would love to tell his life’s story about when he was a baby and how he worked for pennies a day to get through college. Wow I have so many great memories of Albert & Ethel Bender. He is now in heaven with his love of life Ethel Rest in Peace Mr Bender. Love the Baugatz family.
Phyllis Anderson Stevens says
I have such wonderful memories of Mr. & Mrs. Bender both! I literally grew up with them! When I was in 5th grade I met them and have loved them ever since! May you rest in peace Mr. Bender with your sweet wife Ethel and you will be forever missed!
Nancy Torgrimson Gerch says
I too, have wonderful memories of Mr. Bender. He was the Principal at Lincoln School while I went there, many, many years ago, and every time he saw my Dad, Bob Torgrimson, he would ask about me….now that is a person who cares for people….Rest in peace Mr. Bender.
Vicki Waddington says
Mr. Bender was my principal while I attended Lincoln School in Miles City. His gentle, soft-spoken and friendly manner was a joy to be around. His smile was wonderful! He encouraged me to enter spelling bees, which I did, and was always very supportive of his students. He continued to encourage and support me when I began to preach in church, and always wanted me to join Toastmasters. I will always be grateful for his gentle pushing and prodding, which he did with such grace and gentleness that I never felt anything but positive energy from him. He was a man of dignity and class, with a twinkle in his eye, and will be greatly missed.
Chris Choate Raible says
Mr. and Mrs. Bender were our neighbors growing up, and were the nicest people. Mr. Bender always had a kind word, and would stop to talk and seemed genuinely interested in how you were doing. God bless him as he joins Mrs. Bender in heaven.
Chris
Jerry and Joyce Strobel says
I smile as I look at Mr. Bender’s face in his picture. What an encourager!!! When I was in college (1964-1968) and needed to spend time in observing some elementary classrooms, I was given the blessing of doing that under Mr. Bender. If my heart had not already been to be a teacher, Mr. Bender would have taught me to. I thank the Lord for this spirit for life and to give to others.
May your memories be precious! Blessings to you in Jesus, Jerry and Joyce
B Dean Holmes says
Albert always loved to share his experiences at Sumatra school. He knew I was raised in Rosebud County and he could tell some wonderful stories. The world has lost a giant of a man.
Roxanne Engellant says
The University of Montana Western will forever be touched by Albert Bender. Not only was he one of our finest Education Alumni, but he was extremely generous in assisting our students from Eastern Montana with scholarships he and Ethel established at Montana Western. His legacy will never be forgotten on our campus and in our community. The campus and the community still utilize the Bender Center that was built at Birch Creek many years ago. Rest in Peace Albert, you will be missed.
Darlene Longballa says
Mr. Bender was my first principal as I began my teaching of sixth grade at Lincoln School. He was caring and concerned about how all was going in his school. He liked to engage in conversation with his teachers. May all who knew him take comfort in knowing he did lots for his fellowman. May his memory live on in the hearts and minds of those whom he influenced in so many ways!
Richard Storey says
The University of Montana Western was a thankful recepient of his genorosity and commitment to education. With respect and admiration, he shall live in the history of UMW and SW Montana forever.
Thank you Albert.
Richard Storey,
Chancellor
UMW
Jody Dent Fox says
Mr. Bender was my principal at Lincoln and I thought he was intimidating: tall, quiet, seemingly stern, and (sorry) old. He was probably only a little older than I am now. My first experience with him was when I was talked into leaving the school grounds during lunch by a friend. It was her birthday that evening and she needed balloons. We went to Lincoln Store across the street. The teacher on duty was waiting for us when we came back to the school and we were sent directly to the Principal’s office. He was at lunch, so I had 20 or so minutes to die a thousand deaths wondering what he would do to me. By the time he arrived, I was a quivering mass of jello–blubbering and promising it would never happen again. I remember his face. I think he was distressed that I was so terrified of him. He was firm but polite in his verbal reprimand and sent me back to class. I always said “hi” to him when I saw him after that and he always smiled that little smile. As it turned out, he was a good friend of my Dad (Joe Dent), who served on the school board. After I left Lincoln, he came to all of my spelling bees, concerts, and my high school graduation, always seeking me out with a greeting or in the case of the spelling bees, a bit of advice on how to do well at the next level. He came to my wedding and we corresponded for many years at Christmas. I’m sure he followed the lives of many young people he encountered during his years of service to Miles City. He was a wonderful man and his memory will be treasured always!
Gene Fougner says
Amazing…I didn’t even guess Mr. Bender wask with us so long. 103 years…must have been a good man. I always thought he was nice and I was a well behaved student…so we never met in the principal’s office for any reason other than for a vaccination. But I remember my sister, Tami, had to visit once and she was so scared to go to the principal’s office in those days of lore about the paddle hanging on the wall if one misbehaved. This was at Lincoln school. However, after her manditory visit to Mr. Bender, she came home so releived and pleased that Mr. Bender was not at all scarry. Ever after that, she loved him. And our family talked of him often after that.
Gene
Penny Schmidt says
Having gone to Lincoln Elementary School in the 60’s I have many fond memories of Mr. Bender. He was a kind and caring man. I will always remember him with a smile on my face.
My strongest memory of him came when another student pushed me while in line to come into the building and I fell against the stairs and knocked three teeth out. Mr. Bender was down on the stairs looking for those teeth, he feared I had swallowed them.
Rest in Peace
to a life well lived!
penny
Stacy Mackenzie-Scheid says
What a wonderful person! I so enjoyed visiting with you, still so sharp! You were one of the finest. Thank you for all the contributions you made to our community & to all the kids whose lives you touched. We could use more Al Bender’s in the world today! RIP Al.
Sharon Drake says
I am Albert Bender’s niece. My Mom was his twin sister. Thank you for all of these memories. I loved reading what everyone thought of my Uncle. It sounds like he had many people who loved him and cared for him. My email address is: sdrake5@gmail.com.
Thank you.
Sharon Drake
The Poland Family says
We just recently learned of Mr. Bender’s death. What an incredible man. We rented the brick ranch house that he owned in the valley for a couple of years and he was just the best. He would come out and check on the irrigation ditches and just enjoyed being outside. Our daughter, Renee, was about 5-6 during this time, and he took special interest in letting her join him as he walked around the property. He also offered lots of tips on how to get the most out of our garden. We kept in touch via Christmas cards until a few years ago but he was always in our thoughts and an important part of our Montana experience! I’m so glad that we had the opportunity to know him and Mrs. Bender.
Arthur says
GOD bless him….