Ken was born on August 21, 1933 in Arnold, Pennsylvania to Kenneth and Cecelia Bender. He married Ruth Amber Vantine on January 11, 1958. Ken served in the United States Marine Corps from 1952 to 1960 and was very proud or his service. He became a Washington Metropolitan Police Officer in October of 1960 and then transferred to the United States Secret Service, Uniform Division, in 1966. Ken became an air freight agent for Eastern Airlines in 1966 where he worked until he retired.
Ken was a devoted father and enjoyed spending time with his family. He loved to travel and his children have many fond memories of trips to Europe. He also looked forward to family trips to Nags Head and fishing. Ken was an avid reader and often surrounded by books and the daily newspaper. He had a great sense of humor and was an animated story teller. As he was reminiscing about his life he often spoke of family traditions, coaching his son’s baseball team and his service as a Marine and Police Officer.
Ken is survived by his daughter Kim Bushnell, his son Kenneth Bender Jr and his daughter-in-law Lisa Bender. He was called Pappap by his grandchildren: Mark Aaron Peer-Lee, Stephanie Eggleston and her husband Jerry Gabardi, Hilary Lee and her husband Ade Bashorun, Caitlin Eggleston, Matthew Lee, Erica Decatur and Brett Bender. Great grandchildren: Mark Love Jr, Amber Peer-Lee, Omolola Bashorun, Ruth Adele Decatur, RuthAnne Gabardi and Great Great Grandchild Lainey Cheyenne Lake.
He is preceded in death by his wife Ruth and daughter Carey Lu Lee.
The family would like to thank the caring staff of Always Best Care and Capital Caring Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Always Best Care of Fairfax, 530B Huntmar Park Drive, Suite D, Herndon VA 20170.
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