Robert Haynes Bender, 73 of Springfield was born on August 21, 1941 to Florence and Erwin Bender. He went to be with the Lord on September 17, 2014 at Mercy Hospital.

Bob was a long time resident of Springfield, MO and retired from Springfield R-12 Schools after 26 years. He was born in Wilmington, DE and spent his childhood there, after high school was a military police officer of the Delaware Air National Guard. He worked as a lab tech for DuPont and Atlas Corporations. He came to Springfield to attend Evangel College, graduating in 1974. He received his Master of Education in 1981 at M.S.U.

He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Foster Bender; son, Robert Bender of Springfield; brother, David Bender of Wilmington, DE; sister, Ruth Whitt of Mt. Albert, Ontario and a host of family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; an "adopted" dad, William B. Davis and brother, Paul Bender.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. at Maranatha Village Chapel, 233 E. Norton Rd, Springfield, MO. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Bob to Maranatha Village Chapel Fund or Central Assembly of God "dads and lads" program, 1301 N. Boonville Ave, Springfield, MO 65802.

Online condolences may be made to www.klingnerfuneralhome.com.