Richard B. "Rick" Bender

So sad knowing the anniversary of Ricks departure from us is coming up and we miss Dottie also. Both were such great people. Our hearts go out to all the Benders. Miss ya cous ( I know ) Donna

Dear Rick,

It's been a year since your last ride and a million tears keep flowing. My heart is broken and I miss you every day, just as you always said I would. Your smile will stay in my mind and heart forever, along with all the silly ways about you. I truly miss everything about you, Rick.

Please save me a seat up there between you and Aunt Marie and Jakey too! I miss you all and cannot wait to see you all again.

I love you Babe.

Love ya,

Dear Rick,

It's been a year since you've been gone,
to some it might not seem so long.
The days, the months, and the year that has gone by,
I still find myself asking the question, why?

I think about you each and every day,
and regret all that I never got to say.
I never imagined you would be taken away,
hoping to see you again is what I now pray.

I never got to say goodbye,
but I know you will always be by my side.
You...

Rick,
It's so hard to accept when someone you love so much has to go. We have to believe it's God's plan and have faith in his decisions even if we don't understand. We miss you and hold you in our hearts until we are reunited again. Hope you and Jake are having a good time, continue to watch over us down here and help ease our pain. Roderick said, you two guys better behave until he gets there.
We Love You!

Roderick & Diran (as you would call me)

Rick its hard to believe that its been a year that your gone. I miss hearing you say "Hola" when you would answer the phone. I miss hearing you tell me that everything will be okay and that I love you more. Theres not a day that goes by that I don't think of you and how much I miss you. Give Jake a kiss for me and tell him that I miss and love him too.
Love your little sister,
Karen

Miss seeing your big smile and our talks together whenever we came back up to P-A. Only PAPA GOD really knows why you had to leave and not stay. Your Love for Jesus was so very strong. When others came into your presence they wouldn't stay sad very long. You always had an encouraging word and a testimony of God's goodness to you. Of things PAPA taught you or something you recently went through. Now you are in the Presence of The One you love so much. You can see Him Face to face and feel His...

Dear Mom.

How do you say goodbye to your first baby boy,
he brought you so much happiness, sadness and joy.

You were there in the beginning, you were there in the end.
You were there every time in between,
You were not only his mother but his best friend.

I thank you, Mom for all you have done,
no matter what the circumstances were, you brought so much love into our home and somehow made it fun.

We are all survivors thanks to...

its been several weeks now but the words won't come
when I think about you Rick, I think now just what have you done?
You've gone and left us with no final goodbye; but i guess that's how you wanted it, with just one final ride.
your life was different, interesting at best
but you did what you wanted and put your life to the test!
You never feared anything that i knew of
nothing you ever shared
but your love for God was so very visible, nothing else really...