Dieter Martin Bender's Obituary
Obituary of Rev. Dieter Martin Bender:
Army Veteran, Retired NY State Police Captain, Methodist Pastor
Rev. Dieter Martin Bender, age 90, passed away in the care of Country Rest Home in Greenwood, DE on May 4, 2019. He was born to the late Karl and Irmgard Schneider in Stuttgart, Germany on April 12, 1929. Rev. Bender led an interesting and amazing life. He served in the US Army during the Korean War, and after leaving the service he married his sweetheart, Beverley Van Duzer, in 1954. Together they raised five children. Dieter became a New York State Trooper, and retired in 1978 after serving a full career. He had been a Lieutenant at the State Police Academy, finally serving as a Captain at Headquarters Barrack at (Millbrook) Poughkeepsie, NY. He was described by NYSP colleages as "squared away, immaculately dressed, and always sharp." He then went on to Seminary, and became a Methodist minister. He served at various pastorates, and also went on to be a chaplain in the Department of Corrections. He proudly held the title of the oldest person to attend the Training Academy of the Department of Corrections.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded by his beloved wife, Beverley in 2016. He is survived by his children: Robert Bender (Joyce) of Long Island, NY; Dale Bender (Diane) of Long Island, NY; E. Scott Bender (Clare) of Saugerties, NY; Peter Bender (Jane) of Morgantown, NC; and his daughter, April, who married Brian Benfer making for interesting times explaining the spelling is not an error. Also surviving are his brothers: Karl Bender (Lois) and James Bender (Elaine); fifteen grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren; extended family and friends.
A committal service with conferring of Military Honors will be conducted at the Delaware Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro, DE on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at 10:00 AM in their chapel. Rev. Dr. James Van Der Wall will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Brandywine SPCA in Georgetown, DE.
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