2025 House Resolution 44

Whereas, It was with great sorrow that the members of the House of Representatives learned about the passing of Robert G. “Bob” Bender. He will be remembered as a dedicated public servant by his constituents in Barry and Ionia counties and the people of the State of Michigan; and

Whereas, Bob earned a bachelor’s of science degree in agriculture education from Michigan State University, which is where he met his wife of 65 years, Carol Cox Bender. Together, they raised their three children in Bob’s hometown of Middleville, Michigan; and

Whereas, Bob entered the United States Navy in 1959, where he completed flight school and spent five years on active duty as a pilot. He remained active in the Reserves until 1990 and retired as a Navy Captain in 2001; and

Whereas, Following active duty, Bob returned to Middleville to run his 1,100-acre dairy farm. It was here where he first entered into politics. Bob served as Chairman of the Barry County Board of Commissioners and was instrumental in forming the Joint City/County Airport Commission; and

Whereas, Bob was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1982, where he would faithfully serve his constituents in the Eighty-eighth and subsequent Eighty-seventh Districts for the next 12 years. During his time in the Legislature, Bob served on a number of committees, including the House Appropriations Committee, and was co-vice chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture; and

Whereas, After his tenure in the House of Representatives, Bob and his wife joined the Peace Corps, serving in Russia for two years. This was followed by many more years of volunteering with the nonprofit From Houses to Homes in Guatemala; and

Whereas, Upon Bob Bender’s passing, we offer our condolences to his loved ones. His contributions to this chamber and the State of Michigan will be remembered; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we offer this expression of our highest tribute to honor the memory of Robert G. Bender, a member of the House of Representatives from 1983 to 1994; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Bender family as evidence of our lasting esteem for his memory.