Andrew James Bender

Andrew James Bender “Andy”

August 8, 1974-November 1, 2021

Andy passed away November 1, 2021 (All Saints Day) at 12:00 PM at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise, Idaho following a brief illness. Andy will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

Andy was born in Boise Idaho. Andy grew up in Boise’s “North End” and attended Longfellow, North Jr. High and graduated from Boise High School in 1992.

Growing up Andy liked and excelled in school. He enjoyed biking. He loved sports. He played soccer in his younger years. He had a special passion for basketball.  He attended numerous basketball camps including Tarkanian’s UNLV Camp in Las Vegas in 1990. Andy was an avid collector of baseball cards, comic books and Star Wars memorabilia. He was a voracious reader of Sci-fi novels and war stories.  He attended Immanuel Lutheran Church and was active in Luther League following his Confirmation.

 Andy choose Albertson College of Idaho over many other colleges options and Graduated from Albertson College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho in 1996 with degrees in Biology and History.  Following graduation he worked for the Albertson College athletic department before moving back to Boise to work for Transnation Title Company. He became a Realtor with Century 21 1st Place Realty in 1999 and worked with numerous builders in new construction as well as many clients in residential real estate sales. He also worked in affiliated relocation, property management and landscaping services. Andy was an integral part of his company’s team that participated in the Ada County Association of Realtors “Paint the Town” project for many years as well as many of the charitable fundraising projects sponsored by Century 21 franchises.

Andy liked to travel. He traveled cross country to his grandparent’s home in Pittsburgh Pa. many times as a young person as well as visits to Washington DC as well as New York. He traveled with a group of students in college to Netherlands, Poland and Israel. Over the years he also enjoyed trips to San Francisco, London, Ireland, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, and Nebraska to visit family and friends.

Andy was a kind hearted person with a love for family and friends. For those of us who knew and loved Andy, he will have a special place in our hearts that will live with us forever.

Andy is survived by his father Larry Bender Jr. (Patty) Boise, ID, and mother Kathy Gregory Longstreet (Garret), Meridian, ID, his brother Greg Bender (Star) Boise, ID, his daughter Madison Bender, San Luis Obispo, CA, Grandmother Helen Gregory (GG), Grand Uncle Harry Teilmann, Uncles Marty Gregory, Art Gregory Boise, ID., George Bender, Jim Bender (Karen), and Aunts Jane Gregory (Jon Varey) and Barbie Bender, his 1st cousins Jeremy Gregory, Chris Gregory, Michael Gregory, Charlie Varey, Isabella Gregory Riehle, Bobby Bender, George Bender, Cliff Bender and Randy Bender as well as many dear cousins, blended family members and friends.

 He is preceded in death by his Grandparents Larry and Angie Bender Sr (Grand pap and Grandma B), Grandfather Quinten Gregory (Papa Greg) and Uncle John Gregory.

The families of Larry Bender Jr., Kathy Gregory Longstreet and Greg Bender thank you for your outpouring of love and condolences.

A Celebration of Life for Andy Bender will be held December 4, 2021 at 1:00PM at Cloverdale Funeral Home Event Center, 1200 N. Cloverdale Rd. Boise, ID. 83713

All are Welcome. A reception and light meal will follow the service. Please RSVP to Kathy Gregory Longstreet if you plan to attend the reception. kgl@1stplaceidaho.com.