Bender, Edward A. Jr.

Edward A. Bender, Jr., 77, died Thursday evening, May 4, 2006 at his home in Blacksburg, Va. He was born May 3, 1929 in Bluefield, W.Va. to Emma Herrmann and Edward A. Bender, Sr.

He is survived by his wife, Emily Warner Bender; and four children, Edward Daniel Bender, Floyd, Va., Samuel Craig Bender, also of Floyd, Va., Margaret Rebecca Bender, Blacksburg, and Ellen Louise Bender, Roanoke, Va.; one granddaughter, from Blacksburg, Va., Emily Davidson Bender. Also a sister and brother-in-law from Bluefield, W.Va., Betty and Isaac Fuqua; brothers-in-law and wives, Joseph H. and Joan Warner of Blue Ridge Summit, Pa., Laurean H. and Constance Warner of Lancaster, Pa.

Mr. Bender graduated from Virginia Tech in 1951 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. From 1951 to 1953 he served in Korea in the armed forces as a 2nd Lieutenant. From 1953 to 1958 he was enrolled in a program with the Pennsylvania Railroad as a Junior Engineer. In 1958 he accepted a position in the Engineering Fundamentals Department at Virginia Tech.

He retired early in 1978 to pursue his real love, farming. He raised cattle and sheep on his farm in Floyd County. He studied the latest techniques in farming from Virginia Tech. His son Dan is now carrying on his love of farming.

He was a long-time member of Northside Presbyterian Church and especially loved singing in the choir. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to Northside Presbyterian Church, 1017 N.W. Progress Street, Blacksburg, Va. 24060, or New River Land Trust, P.O. Box 11057, Blacksburg, Va. 24062, which is dedicated to protecting farm land and open land from development.

Visitation will be at McCoy Funeral Home on Saturday, May 6, 2006 between the hours of 6 and 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon, May 7, 2006 at 4 p.m. at Northside Presbyterian Church, 1017 N.W. Progress Street, Blacksburg, Va. Interment will be held on Monday afternoon in Portsmouth, Ohio. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive, SW, Blacksburg.