Allen Leroy Bender

Allen passed away peacefully in his Sacramento home on the 15th of October, 2023 at the age of 92. Preceded in death by his loving wife,  Beverly Jean Bender (Dettling) and his sister Juanita. Survived by his long time companion Peggy Clauss, whom he loved and adored.

Allen was survived by he and Beverly’s four children and their spouses; Jennifer Bittner (and her husband Jed), Blake Bender (and his wife Linda), Brian Bender (and his wife Rona), Kathy Bender-Miller (and her husband Terence), all whom are still living in the greater Sacramento area.

Loving grandfather to his nine grandchildren and associated spouses: Billy (and his wife Puja), Jaime (and her husband Arthur), and Ellen (and her husband Brian); Krista, Kimberly (and her husband Alan), and Blakey; Paige; Kelly and Nathan (and his wife Madison).

In addition, Allen was also survived by his six great-grandchildren: Levi, Caleb, and Mina; Bridget and Ava; and Weston.

Allen was born 06/24/1931 and raised in Sacramento by his parents (Al and Olive) who immigrated to the US from Russia and Canada. While attending C.K. McClatchy High School with his high school sweetheart and future and beloved wife Beverly, whom he had met in junior high, Allen became Class President. He attended Sac City College for a year before he transferred to U.C. Berkeley where he obtained his B.S. in Business Administration. He was an offensive lineman for the California Golden Bears football team under famed coach Pappy Waldorf. He was also a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity where het met several of his closest and longtime friends (Bill MacLaughlin Sr. & Ed Lippstreu).

After obtaining his college degree, Allen enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. He spent two years in the Marines, where he was stationed in Japan for one year.  After his stint in the Marines, Allen settled in Sacramento and raised his family with Beverly. He started a small real estate brokerage and developed six small housing subdivisions with his partner Peter Manley. Allen then moved on to residential construction after getting his General Contracting license. He eventually got into small commercial, industrial, and public works projects before founding Allen L. Bender, Inc. in 1971. The company went on to becoming one of Sacramento’s largest Commercial General Contracting firms employing over 225 employees at it’s peak before Allen fully retired in 2010.

Allen was a longtime Sacramento Kings and Cal football season ticket holder and a loyal fan. Allen was also an avid golfer for over 60 years. He was a longtime member of Del Paso Country Club, where he was a legend at the club for always carrying his clubs on his back for eighteen holes as well shooting his age at 90.  He loved flying and was instrument rated in his single engine Piper Dakota which he flew until just 2 months short of turning 90.

Allen was beloved by his family and many friends and is now at peace with the Lord.

Services were privately held at East Lawn Memorial Park for immediate family.