Robert "Beanie" Franklin Bender
May 25, 1921 — April 21, 2014
Robert “Bob” “Beanie”
Franklin Bender
70 Years in Fire Service -
Robert “Bob” “Beanie” Franklin Bender, age 92, of Mechanicsburg , died in peace and tranquility on Monday, April 21, 2014. Born in Mechanicsburg, on Wednesday, May 25, 1921, he was the son of the late Henry Theodore Bender and Zora (Hershman) Bender. Bob was the husband of Freda Kathryn (Shearer) Bender whom he married on July 18, 1948.
Bob’s survivors include his loving wife of over 65 years, Freda Kathryn (Shearer) Bender; his son, Thomas S. Bender of Mechanicsburg; and several nieces and nephews.
Bob attended Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School. He retired from the United States Postal Service in 1981 after 32 years of service as a mail carrier in Mechanicsburg. As a mail carrier, Bob delivered his own draft notice and served in the U.S. Army during World War II and as Commander of the American Legion Post #109 in 1958. After 15 years of service, Bob retired from Keefer’s IGA in Mechanicsburg on the day he turned 75 years old. He was a lifelong member of both the First Church of God in Mechanicsburg and Cumberland County Volunteer Firefighters Association . He was the oldest living member of Citizen’s Fire and Rescue in Mechanicsburg. During his 70 years of active fire service, which spanned from 1939 to 2009, Bob served as Secretary for 25 years, Treasurer for 25 years, Chief Director for 10 years, and in every other capacity at one time or another. His amazing legacy of service to Mechanicsburg will live on.
All are welcome to join Bob’s family at his viewing on Thursday, April 24, 2014, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. and on Friday, April 25, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 10:00 a.m. at Myers - Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory , 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Reverend Charles R. Burgard and Pastor Gale M. Gregor officiating. Burial will follow in Mechanicsburg Cemetery in Mechanicsburg. Honored to be pallbearers are: Doug Boyd, Richard Cornman, Keith Marston, Jack Neibert, Brian Smithmyer, and Joel Warner. Bob’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at (to be announced) , Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, following the burial.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Citizen's Fire & Rescue , 208 South York Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. Bob’s family has entrusted his care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421. Read Bob’s full obituary, view his memorial video and portrait, and sign his official guest book at www.Myers-Buhrig.com .