Rev. Frederick Tuttle Bender

The Rev Frederick Tuttle Bender died on Nov 9 at Windsor Point, Fuquay-Varina, NC He was 90

Rev Bender was born in Newark, NJ on April 6, 1923 to Lester Frederick Bender and Lois Elizabeth Tuttle While in high school, he attended the Summit School of Music which provided the training for his life long career in music and the ministry He married his childhood sweetheart, Grace Mountford Betts During World War II in Victoria, Texas, Rev Bender served in the US Army Air Corps as a flight instructor

Following the war, he and Grace returned to Nutley, NJ where he worked as organist and choir director He also taught music at the Carteret School for Boys in Carteret, NJ and later served as organist and choir director at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Newark, NJ

In 1955, Rev Bender attended the General Theological Seminary He was ordained an Episcopal minister and served as rector at St John's Episcopal Church in Palmerton, Pa, Grace Church in Allentown, Pa, and Director of the Order of St Ann's Bethany, a residential center for handicapped women in Lincoln, Mass

His later years in the ministry took place in Connecticut where he held the position of director of music and education at St Luke's in Darien and rector at St Stephen's Episcopal Church in Ridgefield

Rev Bender and Grace retired to Center Tuftonboro, NH They enjoyed friends, family, boating and were both members of the Clear Lakes Chorale Rev Bender served as a volunteer clergy and choirmaster at several churches in New Hampshire and later in North Carolina, after a move for the warmer climate

He is survived by his four children: Joanne Growitz of Eagle, Idaho; Sarajane Diosi of Epping, NH; Robert Bender of Auburn, Maine; and Cynthia Scam of Monroe In addition, he is survived by 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren

A service of thanksgiving for his life will be held at St Luke's Episcopal Church in Darien, Connecticut on Feb 15 at 11 am Memorial contributions may be made to the "St Luke's Parish - Friends of Music," 1864 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820