Roger Dean Bender (1944-2019)

Roger Dean Bender, 75 of Sunrise Beach, Mo., formerly of Wichita, Kan., passed away peacefully Nov. 25, 2019. He was born Nov. 16, 1944 in Fort Benning, Ga., the son of Gordon and Anne (Kootz) Bender and grew up in Ellsworth, Kan. He was the husband of 53 years to Sherilyn Carl Bender and proud father of Kameran (Tom) Casey and Chad Bender. 
He is survived by sister, Barbara McPherson as well as many dear lifelong friends. 
Roger graduated from Kansas State University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Architecture and in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science Business Administration degrees. He was president of the Delta Upsilon Alumni Board, and he served his country in the United States National Guard. Roger began his career in Wichita, Kan., where he was a partner in the architectural firm Bender Viney Mann. Roger specialized in designing banks but was recognized for his striking triangular over-and-under duplex home design in Riverside, which was named an architectural Wichita Wonder by The International Magazine of Art and Culture and was also featured in the Wichita Eagle Beacon and The Wichitan Magazine. 
A true entrepreneur at heart, Roger also owned and operated a chain of convenience stores cleverly called “The Store” and started an innovative on-premise discount dry cleaner in Kansas City, also aptly named “Clothes Care.” Later in his career, Roger’s original passion for architecture and home building led him to the Lake of the Ozarks, where he designed and built hybrid mountain style timber homes. Roger was an avid tennis player, an enthusiastic fly fisherman, a strong supporter of Kansas State football, and loved a good political debate. He dreamed about living one day in Colorado. We will miss his humor, wit, and spirited soul.
Roger is survived by his daughter,  Kameran (Tom) Casey, Charleston, S.C.; a son, Chad Bender, San Diego, Calif.; and a sister, Barbara McPherson, Kansas City, Kan. 
A private memorial service will be held Dec. 7 in Sunrise Beach, Mo. 
If so desired, a memorial donation may be made to The American Heart Association.