Ronald D Bender beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away Tuesday, August 5, 2008 in Chewelah, Washington. Ron was born March 26, 1942 in Torrington, Wyoming. He was the 2nd of 7 boys from Herbert and Frieda Bender. At just one year of age his family moved to the Tri-City area and settled in Finley. He graduated from Riverview High School in 1960 and soon joined the US Army. While on tour in Germany he met the love of his life, Rosel Hille. They married October 8, 1963 in Heidelberg, Germany. Ron and Rose soon moved back to the States and started a family. Per his plan, a boy first, Mike and a few years later his little princess, Michelle. He worked in the Automated Packaging Industry and retired form Dyna-Pak in 2001. He was a long time member of the Eagles and Moose Lodges and of the American Legion. In 1973 they purchased their dream property "The Land". This is where he would spend his retirement. He liked sitting on the deck of the cabin "aka his tree stand" watching the wildlife. He loved playing with his tractor and spending time with his grandchildren, who knew him as Opa. Ron was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was always looking forward to the next season at elk camp and taking the kids out deer hunting at the cabin. He and Rose would spend part of the summer in their RV up in Alaska, fishing along the rivers and taking in the scenery. When not in Alaska they would take RV trips closer to home with friends and family, fishing at the lake, horseback riding in the mountains or just hanging out by the fire and playing cribbage. He enjoyed the company, family, friends, and neighbors they had at the cabin. Ron is survived by his mother Frieda Bender of Finley, WA; wife Rosel Bender of Valley, WA; son Mike Bender Jeannie of Pasco, WA; daughter Michelle Sittman Chris of Kennewick, WA; grandchildren Harly & Sadie Bender and Kyle & Brock Bobo Sittman; brothers Cliff Bender Linda, Herb Bender Barbara, Ralph Bender Jackie, Tom Bender Gloria, Steve Bender Ruth, and sister-in-law Darlene Livingston Jerry; plus several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He will be missed by all of them. He was preceded in death by his father Herbert Bender, brother Russel Bender and lifelong fishing buddy Alan Kreider. Services will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 1:00pm at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home located at 1401 S. Union Street in Kennewick with a celebration of Ron's life to follow at the Eagles Lodge in Kennewick at 3:00pm.