OBITUARY: Daniel Clark Bender

Daniel Clark Bender

Daniel Clark Bender, 76, returned to his father in heaven on his birthday, December 22, 2021. He was born in Mitchell, South Dakota, to Delbert Reynold and Avis Rosamund King Bender on December 22, 1945.

He grew up on the family farm in Fulton, South Dakota. After graduating from Fulton High School, he pursued his education at South Dakota State University where he graduated with an Electronic Engineering degree and completed a second degree in later years in Computer Science from Weber State University.

While at SDSU, Dan was a member of IEEE and ROTC. As any member of his generation, upon graduation, he entered the Army and the Vietnam Conflict. He served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Signal Corps of the Ninth Infantry Division. When Dan completed his military obligation, he used his GI Bill to become a flight instructor for small engine/fixed-winged aircraft and remained passionate about aviation throughout his life, taking his last airplane ride in a B-25 Bomber.

Dan worked as a professional engineer for Unisys Corporation beginning in the early ‘70s. His career took him to the east coast, Germany, England, the west coast, and a final move to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he met his beautiful wife, Mitzi Joan Anderson, whom he married on May 18, 1979, in Reno, Nevada. Together they raised two daughters in Farmington, Utah.

Dan was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on December 22, 1986. One year later he and Mitzi were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on December 22, 1987. Years later, they relocated to Logandale, Nevada, where Dan worked as a software engineer for the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) Library Systems. Dan retired in 2016, upon being diagnosed with Interstitial Pulmonary Fibrosis. Shortly thereafter, he and Mitzi downsized and moved to Mesquite, Nevada.

Known by many names, including Daniel, Danny, Dan, Dusty Dan, Gramps, Papa, Dumpit-Dumpit, Uncle Dan, and the Dancing Bear, Daniel Clark Bender will always be remembered lovingly as dad, husband, brother, and friend. He was a kind, humble, loving, and genuine person. He took an interest in the lives of others and possessed the gift of making others feel valued. Although he would never boast of his strengths and abilities, he could solve any computer issue, code any program, fix any electrical problems, and “Rube Goldberg” any materials laid before him. He had a deep baritone voice which was suitable for toastmasters and public speaking. Dan was a “wordsmith” and enjoyed writing, which led to the publication of his own cowboy poetry. He valued learning and was unconditionally supportive of his girls and their educational, musical, and life endeavors.

Dan was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Even though his illness kept him home-bound, he served a full-time mission with the Church Service Mission Remote Operations Center from August 2019 to August 2020. He had expansive knowledge and understanding of the scriptures and used that knowledge to benefit those around him. His favorite scripture was found in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Dan shared the last remaining hours of his mortal life with his wife and girls by his side in their Mesquite home, amidst the warmth and glow of the Christmas season.

He is survived by his wife, Mitzi of Mesquite, NV; two daughters: Torann Bender of Bountiful, UT and Kandis (Cameron) Taylor of Draper, UT; 3 granddaughters: Mikelle (Luis) Wrobel of Hill AFB, UT, Danielle Rose Bender of Bountiful, UT and Averi Taylor of Draper, UT; and one sister, Kay Williams of Rapid City, SD.

He is preceded in death by his parents, loving brother-in-law Jim Williams, and special cousin Alan Bender.

God be with you until we meet again – CAVU (Clear and Visibility Unlimited).

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 3, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mesquite Stake Center. Visitation will be from 9:30 – 10:30 prior to services at the chapel. Interment will be Wednesday, January 5, 2021, at the 11 a.m. at at Camp Williams National Cemetery.

Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest book at www.virginvalleymortuary.com.