Dr. Frederick William Bender

Dr. Frederick W Bender Dr. Frederick W Bender, died on Friday December 12, 2025 at his home following complications of renal failure. He was raised in Westfield, N.J. He graduated from Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains, N.J. Frederick obtained his B.S degree from the University of Scranton in Scranton, PA. with a major in psychology and minors in chemistry & philosophy. Among other memberships (e.g. Pi Gamma Mu, Psi Chi, etc.), he was President of Alpha Sigma Nu, the National Jesuit Honor Society.

Frederick received his master's and doctorate from Northwestern University in Chicago/Evanston, IL. Additional work there included working and publishing on terminally ill adolescents as well as high-risk pregnancies and the effects of chronic disease. In Chicago, he functioned as clinical director of the Y.E.S. program working with foster parents and an adolescent substance abuse treatment modality.

He was a founding director of the Catholic Youth Ministry Center in the Beverly Hills/Morgan Park section of Chicago. In New Jersey, he became the first clinical director of the Family Court's Family Crisis Intervention Unit then located at Newton Memorial Hospital. He was in private clinical practice in Newton, N.J. for a number of years. For the 22+ years preceding his retirement, he also worked for the Vernon Township Public Schools' CST in Vernon. N.J.

Dr. Bender traveled extensively, having many friends throughout the world. He worked with many charities, especially those involving troubled youth. Family Court drug evaluations, custody assessments, etc. were provided for many years. He was on the Board of Directors for 25+ years with the Sussex County Center for Prevention & Counseling.

Frederick was on the Board for many years at Loyola of Morristown, the Jesuit retreat center, which was especially close to his focus having been donated by an ancestor He touched the lives of many and is survived by many friends throughout the world.

Visitation will be held Friday December 19, 2025 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM in the Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home #156 Main Street (Rt. 206) Newton, NJ 07860. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday December 20, 2025 at 10 AM in the Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church #24 Halsted Street Newton, NJ. Interment in the Rosedale Cemetery Linden, NJ will be Monday December 22, 2025 at 1130 AM. In lieu of flowers memorials in Frederick's memory may be made to The Jesuit Center, 151 James Street, Morristown, N.J. 07960. Arrangements and online condolences through Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home www.iliff-ruggierofuneralhome.com.