Phillip R. Bender

Bender, Phillip R. Passed away peacefully on 12/9/18 at the age of 91. Beloved only son of a First Mate on Great Lakes steamer ships, and a Scottish immigrant nanny, Phillip grew up a latchkey kid in Milwaukee, WI. He moved to Wauwatosa at age 11, and attended Wauwatosa (East) High School, participating in the choir and backstage crew. Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy; training on Treasure Island and serving in Pearl Harbor during the post war years. After receiving a bachelor's degree at Purdue ('51), he met a cute tennis partner, and love of his life, Kathryn Blank. They married and started a family while he was teaching at Milwaukee School of Engineering. He went on to pursue his intellectual calling in mathematics; receiving degrees from Marquette University (M.S. '59), and Iowa State University (Ph.D. '66). He served as a tenured professor in the Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Department at Marquette for 33 years, mostly renowned for his challenging Calculus course for freshman Engineering students. Kind and patient as a saint, Phillip was a wonderful teacher, mentor and role model. His gentle, steadfast, and true-north quality was felt by all who knew and met him. Among his favorite pastimes were classical music (live or in stereo), reading history, dinner parties with close friends, playing bridge, singing in the choir, and spending time with his family. His five children lovingly remember his gentle guidance, wisdom, quirky sense of humor (and amusing frugal tendencies), classical music appreciation, providing a wonderful homelife, great road trip vacations every summer... and so much more. He is survived by his beloved wife Kathryn, and five children, Mark, James (Liz), Monica, Michael, and Lisa. He will be missed beyond measure, but has been reunited with his parents in the kingdom of heaven. A memorial service will be held in the springtime at Wauwatosa Cemetery.