Craig Bender Obituary
Craig was a talented musician and a Eugene resident for more than 30 years. He played a variety of instruments, and was particularly gifted with saxophone, an array of woodwinds, and bass guitar. He had a passion for jazz and reggae, but enjoyed playing all kinds of music. His professional gigs ranged from night clubs to symphony orchestras to the Oregon Country Fair.
An engineer by nature, Craig was always experimenting and creating new things, whether it was makeshift tools, musical compositions, hot sauce recipes or flute headjoints. His aptitude for tinkering led him to a career as an expert woodwind repair technician. He honed his craft at music shops around Oregon, and ran his own business in Eugene for many years. His precision and creativity attracted high level musicians, who would ship their instruments from around the world to be repaired and customized by Craig.
Most recently Craig worked as a CNC programmer at Rosen Sunvisor Systems where he programmed machines to make precision parts for aircraft and other vehicles. He also worked on various special projects, including a carbon fiber tuba.
Throughout his life, Craig had a profound desire to serve others. He was a teacher and mentor to many, and a comfort for friends in need. Craig had a knack for being irreverent and sharing his dry - sometimes warped - sense of humor at the perfect times.
Craig's family includes his sister, Sharon Bender McCorkle, brother, Ken Bender, former spouses, Carmel Bender and Arlene Russell, daughters, Olivia Poblacion and Elizabeth Bender, and sons, Aaron Bender and Duncan Bender. More than anything, he adored his two grandchildren, Louis Macquoid, 7, and Elsa Macquoid, 4.
Craig will be remembered as being brilliant, funny, loving, and a spectacular weirdo. Rough edges and all, his family loves him utterly and completely for the person that he is. Just as he loved them utterly and completely for the people that they are.
A Celebration of Life for Craig will take place on Saturday, May 13th. Please email us if you would like details for the event or would like to share thoughts, memories, photos, etc. [email protected]
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Andy Page
December 26, 2024
Craig taught me so much about instrument repair and acoustics and helped ignite a passion for instrument making I still carry today. We hadn´t spoken in a decade, but I had a question regarding a flute I´m making and thought to reach out. I am very saddened to here of his passing. He left a far reaching legacy. Much love to his family and community.
Michael Hackett
May 7, 2024
I hadn't heard from Craig in a while, and messages and texts went unanswered, so I googled him. So sorry to hear of his passing. RIP old friend.
Christian Pullen
June 18, 2023
My friend and mentor, a great tenor player and sax-bender, noone else played the Chu Berry tenor like him.
I owe him the greatest musical experience while in the US.
You'll stay in my mind as long as I keep playing!
Christian & family
from Cologne, Germany
Dana Heitman
May 7, 2023
I´m so sorry for your loss. It was years since I had seen Craig, but he was definitely a staple of the community. He will be missed, and remembered fondly.
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Diane (Reed) Payne
May 7, 2023
Even though we are first cousins, the distance separating us at such young ages resulted in me not having the privilege to really spend time with Craig over the years. But I will never forget how touched I was when I flew out to Oregon from North Carolina and Craig drove all the way up from Eugene to Portand to hang out with me after we had not seen each other in over 40 years. Wow. I am grateful and honored too that I was able to be in touch with Craig a little more over the past couple of years as I shared some of the family genealogy I was discovering with him.
So I am sending much love & heartfelt sympathy to all of Craig's loved ones. He will be missed.
Diane (Reed) Payne
Tom Bergeron
May 4, 2023
In addition to being a super cool dude and very fine musician in his own right, Craig was a world-class woodwind technician who helped many players refine their sound and project their voices. I'll miss him.
Thomas
May 4, 2023
My sincere condolences to the bender ohana. Craig was a dear friend and jazz mate to me when I lived in Eugene. We shared many jazz gigs together . I will miss him greatly
Annie Reed
May 1, 2023
Craig was a dear friend/counselor/ during my divorce. He encourages me to believe in myself again and to embrace being single. He helped me see value in myself and to pursue what my dreams were/are.
I will forever be grateful for the friend he was to me in my darkest time.
We shared a-lot of laughs and banter. He was a peaceful man. He always strived for peace and for resolve within himself and he´d encouraged that for others too. He loved his family, friends, music and his faith and his dog.
Myrrh Sagrada
May 1, 2023
I will never forget the times I shared with Craig as we were both in the same band for many years (one of his myriad undertakings). We all shared the stress, excitement, hard work, insanity, abundant humor, and camaraderie. I got on his bad side a couple times, but we reconciled, and I'm very glad. I know I'm stating the obvious, but, he's gone too soon. A very unique, good soul.
Penny Pressley
May 1, 2023
My heart is sad, he was a dear friend to me. Kind, supportive.. and always funny. I will miss you C.B.
Peter Argyres
May 1, 2023
Craig has been my close friend for 30 years and will be greatly missed. Still in shock.
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