Mr. Bender was born Dec. 26, 1951, at San Diego. He was a researcher for the Land Institute at Salina. He was a graduate of Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, and received his doctorate in biology from the University of Kentucky, Lexington.

He was preceded in death by his father, Martin H. Bender.

Survivors include his wife, Mary, of the home; two sons, Samuel and Sean, both of the home; a daughter, Ansley of the home; his mother, Janet Bender of Dayton, Ohio; three brothers, Ken of Torrance, Calif., and Thomas and Robert, both of Dayton; and a sister, Nancy Bender of Indian Springs, Ohio.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church, 230 E. Cloud, Salina. Burial will be in All Saints Catholic Cemetery, Salina.

Memorials may be made to the Land Institute, St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School or Salina Public Library.

The family will receive friends from 9:15 to 10 a.m. Friday at the St. Mary Parish Hall.

Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401, is handling arrangements.