Michael Bender

Michael Paul Bender, born on 10/10/1961 to Kathryn and Phillip Bender of Wauwatosa, WI - passed into the final frontier on 1/3/2025 from his residence in Walnut Creek, CA. He is survived by four loving siblings: Mark, James (Liz), Monica, and Lisa, two cousins, dozens of friends (and his beloved dachshund, Jibby).

Michael was truly good, and extremely intelligent - even challenging his mathematician father with formulas and equations at a young age. He was always working on a Rubik's cube or other mind-bending puzzle and played chess obsessively. He was in the chess and debate clubs at Marquette High, then earned a BS in physics at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia and began a master's program in AI at UW-Madison afterwards.

Michael's extraordinary achievement, however, was rising valiantly above his rare genetic neurodegenerative disorder (Ataxia) as it steadily progressed throughout his life. As a young man, he practiced holistic health, eating only macrobiotic foods - even cooking and catering organic meals from his apartment in Milwaukee. He stayed active as possible, enjoyed bowling, playing ping pong, and nine holes of golf on occasion. He also became a student and lifetime practitioner of Zen Buddhism, which enlightened his mind to diminish the suffering his disability relentlessly brought upon him - yet he never complained about it.

Michael moved to CA in 1993 following his sister, Monica - to live more easily in a warmer climate. He loved living in and driving his van around Northern CA, then got a job with a Dot.com startup in the tech boom of the 90's. He bought and lived on a houseboat during his working years, then retired to a desirable marina on the Sacramento River Delta. In keeping with his organic lifestyle, his primary hobby was alternative fuel vehicles. For years, he fueled his Mercedes with homemade biodiesel - used vegetable oil he picked up from restaurants and filtered into the gas tank. Later, he drove exclusively electric cars and managed a website instructing drivers how to convert their hybrids into plug-in EVs. Finally, he discovered his greatest passion was Regenerative farming and soil microbiology, and he managed the website for a local organic farm.

Michael lived more fully than most people can hope to - from traveling afar (Australia, Scotland, Alaska) to seeing the total eclipse of the sun in Hawaii, to local adventures in Northern CA (abalone diving, camping, concerts...). He loved music, sports, and meeting new people. Michael's selfless generosity, compassion, and ability to listen and give wise advice, made his circle of friends strong and ever-growing. He was also the glue that held his family of origin together. He was an inspiration to all in how to be the best person you can be, and his influence will increase exponentially all of time.

There will be a memorial service for family and a few friends in the Redwoods of CA on 10/10/25.

Donations in his name can be made to The National Ataxia Foundation, The Special Olympics, or Organic farm of your choice.