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Robert Bender Obituary

8-6-1928 -- 1-30-2013

Robert Stephen Bender died at home on January 30, 2013, surrounded by his family after a short illness. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from Benedictine High School in 1947, where he played basketball and football. He was offered a football scholarship to Wittenberg University but stayed in Cleveland and attended John Carroll University. A natural athlete, he excelled in every sport from baseball to water polo. As an amateur boxer, he was undefeated in 26 bouts as a middleweight, including a decision over Cleveland's Jackie Keough, who later fought Randy Turpin for the World Middleweight title. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor. Bob returned home to marry the love of his life, and wife of 60 years, Donna Smarto. He met Donna before he left for Korea when she was a nursing student at St. Vincent Charity Hospital. She waited for him and after the war, they married, raised four children, and enjoyed 60 years of happy marriage. As an operating engineer at the Great Lakes Construction Company for 15 years, he helped build parts of Interstate 90, I-71, and I-271. Later, the family moved to Akron, Ohio in 1967 and he founded the Robert Bender Insurance Company. He provided insurance for local sporting events including Nino Benvenuti/Doyle Baird Championship Fight on October 14, 1968 in Akron that many people felt Doyle Baird won.

He bought and renovated 378 South Main Street in Akron in 1978 and spent a year researching and planning for a restaurant that could survive decades of change in downtown Akron. The result was the Diamond Delicatessen that is still in operation today. At that time, he predicted that the 300 block of South Main Street would prosper as the University of Akron expanded. He was the only one who believed it at the time.

He was an amateur archeologist and paleontologist and displayed his collection for years in the window of his office in Bath, Ohio. He loved opera and jazz, prose and poetry, and completed the New York Times crossword puzzle daily, in ink. As a rule, he was "very cool."

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Alice Bender; his sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Richard Bandsuh; and his brother-in-law, Donald Ferfolia. He is survived by his wife, Donna; his son and business partner, Frank; and daughters, Catherine Bender, PH.D., Roberta Persaud, M.D. (Harry) and Elizabeth Bender, M.D. (William Zavarello); grandchildren, Donna Moyles, Sarah Persaud, and Harry Andrew Persaud; his sisters, Alice Ferfolia and Elaine Peters; and many nieces and nephews.

Herodotus said, "There are many men, but few heroes." He was our hero..

The family suggests memorial contributions in his name to the St. Edward Foundation, 3131 Smith Rd., Akron, Ohio 44313.

Friends may call at the CIRIELLO & CARR FUNERAL HOME, 39 S.. MILLER RD. FAIRLAWN, OHIO 44333, FOR VISITATION FRIDAY, 2 TO4 and 6 TO 8 P.M. Funeral Saturday, 12:30 P.M. at the Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Hilary Catholic Church, 2750 W. Market Street, Akron at 1 P.M., followed by interment at Rose Hill Burial Park, 3653 W. Market Street, Akron.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Akron Beacon Journal from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Bender

Not sure what to say?





Tiffany

January 30, 2014

Mr b its been a year and I still can't get over your passing you will always be in my heart

April 18, 2013

I just learned of Mr. Bender's passing today. He was always very nice and kind to me.
eloise brown on Grant street

K Underwood

February 23, 2013

My deepest sympathy to the Bender Family. My thoughts and prayers are with you Bob is the most wonderful caring and loving people I have ever been blessed to meet. R.I.P Mr. Bender

Brianna M

February 14, 2013

Sending my dearest sympathy to the Bender family. Mr. Bender is one of the greatest men I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. I will miss him dearly.

Lots of prayers to you and your family.

cindy mates

February 7, 2013

we all will miss you bob...i will never forget how nice you was to me snd family...we will never find another man or landlord like you...you was the landlord and our friend...i thank you and miss you forever for all that you have done...thank you for all...we will miss and love you forever...

Frank & Peggy Livigni

February 7, 2013

Dear Donna, We just discussed how we (the people of the Village of St. Edward)are like one family.)We send you our sympathy and love at your great loss. It is a blessing to share our love, recipes and now our grief with you. Know you are in our prays today, tommorow and forever. All our love, Frank and Peggy

February 2, 2013

I loved our conversations, many times we lost track of time. Laughter was included everytime we spoke. I will miss you. Lester McIntyre

marie,lisa,leann,jd goodrich

February 1, 2013

To the Bender family I'm so sorry for your lost, Mr Bender was not only my landlord but a wonderful friend. My prayers go out to you and your family.r.i.p. Mr Bender you will be missed.

Jan Tressel

February 1, 2013

Roberta and Family,
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. Cherish the memories.

February 1, 2013

To Mr.Bender words cannot describe how i feel right now you were more than a landlord you were a dear friend .Ive never known such aperson like you thank you thank you thankyou Mr.Bender for everything small to everything big.I Will never forget all the times we conversated people like you dont come around everyday and i will surely miss u Mr bender thanks for all the love your old friend.Tiffany from Doyle st

.

Mike/Toni Flynn

February 1, 2013

Beth: Our condolences on your loss. Mike/Toni Flynn

chris and sharon ferreri

February 1, 2013

mr. bender was so good to my family and i he was there to help with noone could he was a good man . the ferreri family will never 4 get him .

Greg, Claudia & Employees Ash Plumbing & Drain

February 1, 2013

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Alan Bender

February 1, 2013

Bender family, so sorry for your loss, Roberta was in my freshman English class I believe at Akron U. again my sympathy
Alan Bender /Cleveland

John Mccune

January 31, 2013

We miss you father bob

January 31, 2013

Dear Aunt Donna, Cathy, Roberta, Frank, and Beth, I remember Uncle Bob's wit and humor and kindness! He was a great man! We were all blessed to have known him! You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Donna Jean & Bill

Debra Simmons

January 31, 2013

I'm deeply sorry for your lose Mr.Bender was a very nice man and landlord our prayers go out to your family. God Bless All Of you. Linda Cartwright And Debra (Russell) Simmons

Elizabeth Standridge

January 31, 2013

To the bender family my deapest sympathy goes to you im sorry i cant attend services your husband an father was not only a friend but a father an employer to me in the last 18yrs. he will always be in my heart i will never forget the things he taught me the guidience he showd me or lifes lessons learnd from him i will always be there for your family for you bob had done the same for me with love the way out roofer russell stott

January 31, 2013

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

Elizabeth Wilson

January 31, 2013

To the bender family my deapest sympathy an prayers go out to you all your husband an father will be deaply missed he was the most givin an careing man i have known him an his wife had come to visit me an my family after we had moved from oh to sc he had said he wantd to make shur we would be ok they traveld around checking our community an said we would be fine here in this day an age you dontm find care an concern like that i had even workd for him he always called me hinerman not by my first name but my last name it always just meant special neaning to me my long life friend russell still works for him mr bender will truely be missed an always rememberd for his kindness an care he always showed to my family an all others to his wife an children you can rest easy knowing you had a wonderful husband an father god bless you all an thank you lord for such a wonderful human being with love from hinerman

barb kingsley

January 31, 2013

Sorry for your loss to the whole bender family! Bob was truly a great person helped me and my whole family in some kind of way! Gone but never forgotten! U sure will be missed bob!

Jeff Lansky Jr.

January 31, 2013

I was very sorry to hear the passing of uncle Bob. He was a great man who always knew how to light up a room. My cousins and I always look forward to his arrival at family functions. I will miss uncle Bob, but I know he is in a better place with my grandpa Ferfolia.

Donna Heatherly

January 31, 2013

Best landlord I ever had. Strength and prayers to Mrs, and Frank.

Stephanie Wilkerson

January 31, 2013

Dearest Donna, I am sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3

TIFFANY & DENNY MCCUNE

January 31, 2013

HE WAS A VERY THOUHTFUL,CARING,,AND JUST ALL AROUND GREAT PERSON,HE WILL BE MISSED BUT NOT FORGOTEN <3

January 31, 2013

RIP Uncle Bob - You were a true rock to the Bender family - Loved by all and respected even more. Till we meet again - Mark (Marcus Aurelius - friend of Caesar!)

JACK PARRAVANI

January 31, 2013

MY CONDOLENCES TO THE ENTIRE BENDER FAMILY. BOB WAS A FABULOUS AND WONDERFUL MAN. THE WORLD WILL HAS TRULY LOST A GREAT PERSON!

Sabrina Hood

January 31, 2013

I didn't personally know Bob but I've heard great things of him and I've never heard one bad thing ever, my very best friend tammie Kingsley has spoke of how Bob was like a father to her and her husband and I wanted to say I'm sorry for your loss of such a beautiful person.

terri fox household

January 31, 2013

rest in peace mr.bender. you were a saint among all of us common people. you will never be forgotten.

terri fox household

January 31, 2013

to the family of 'bob' as we affectionatly knew him, we've been tenants for 11 years and have grown to love him. he will be deeply missed but always remembered in our hearts and thoughts. terri fox& the wylie girls,aj petrovich,donnie white&bob wiles.

Tammie Kingsley

January 31, 2013

I've been renting of Mr Bender fot 15 years he was so much more then a landlord he was a true friend he was the most caring loving person I have ever known my heart goes out to his family He will be missed this such a sad day for the world rip Bob

Christina Greathouse

January 31, 2013

Words cannot express how sad I am right now, not only the loss of a friend, but such a great person. He has been my landlord for over 16yrs. & all I can say is he was an amaizing person. God bless the family & be with them in their time of sorrow.

Anne Berrodin

January 31, 2013

Dear Doctor Elizabeth Bender and Family,

I am sorry for your loss of your beloved Dad. I am happy I had the chance to meet him. You are all in my prayers.
Love, Anne Berrodin

Sheryl

January 31, 2013

Sounds like he was quite a man. Rest in peace Mr. Bender. My condolences to the Family.

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