Richard Allen Bender

Richard Allen Bender "Rich" was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania on February 25, 1954 and passed away at Springhill Memorial Hospital in Mobile, Alabama from heart-related issues, on January 28, 2026, with his wife by his side.

Rich was dedicated to his wife, and considered her his best friend, his love, his partner, and the “best helper he ever had”. In return, he was her best friend, her love, her partner, and her protector. He loved his family, his church family, and friends, and strived to help and protect them all.

Rich began a career in Pennsylvania as a carpenter/general contractor, and also worked for years as an EMT. After moving to Citronelle in 2000, he worked at RDA, Crowne Healthcare of Citronelle as Maintenance Supervisor, South Alabama Utilities, and Andrews Hardware. He was on the Citronelle Memorial Library Board, and was an active member of Citronelle Methodist Church for 23 years, and especially loved his Sunday school class and Men’s Community breakfasts. He was proud to be a cancer (Leukemia) survivor since 2003, and made the most of every single day. He loved taking on projects, and was not satisfied until they were done to perfection. He looked forward to weekly dinners with the church’s “Friday Night Supper Club”, and enjoyed relaxing by working jigsaw puzzles and watching “Gunsmoke” reruns.

He is survived by his loving wife, Tina (Hoover) Bender, sisters Connie (Bender) Veller, Debbie (Bender) Young, Patty (Bender) Metz, Mickey (Bender) Walls, Kathy (Bender) McGraw, and brother Ken Bender, along with many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Doris (Snyder) Roller, step-father John Roller, and beloved dogs, Punkin, Casey, Serah, Acer, and Hazel.

He is now resting peacefully in our Lord, Jesus Christ’s, loving arms.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Citronelle Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, please make charitable donations to Citronelle Methodist Church, Ark Animal Clinic in Mobile, Alabama, or charity of your choosing.