BUD BENDIX- A Man for All Seasons LeRoy Charles "Bud" Bendix, Jr. passed away at his home in Portland, Oregon on November 3rd after a courageous battle with cancer. His wit, warmth and sense of humor will be missed by all who had the honor of knowing him and were lucky enough to experience his unparalleled hospitality and generosity. Bud was born to LeRoy Charles Bendix, Sr. and Marion Schlesser Bendix on January 20, 1931 in Chewelah, Washington where his father taught and coached. The family moved to Elma, WA where he grew up with his younger brother Fred, until moving to Tacoma as a teenager. Bud met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Jeannine Hoyt, when they were sophomores at Clover Park High School in Lakewood. During his high school years he was involved in student government, theatrical performances, football and basketball. A standout Journalism Major at Washington State University, Bud was named Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Evergreen as a junior, an honor usually reserved for seniors. He was especially known for his editorial column "The Thin Man Speaks." A natural leader who was well-liked by all, Bud served as President of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, where his father had been a charter member. Named as an Outstanding Senior, his classmates elected him President of the Senior Class of 1953. After they both graduated from WSU, Bud and Jeannine were married in their hometown of Tacoma, WA. Fulfilling his ROTC commitment, he became an Army officer serving in New Jersey, Washington State and the Philippines. After his military service, Bud's journalism career continued, working with weekly newspapers in Kent and Renton, WA. Bud and Jeannine embarked on their next adventure in 1958, moving to Hawaii where Bud signed on with the Honolulu Advertiser and Jeannine became a teacher at Punahou School. They had fun exploring their new home in their TR3 sports car and racing their lightning class sailboat, the Wiki Wiki. Their son Mark was born in 1960, followed by daughter Diana in 1963. As a reporter, Bud covered many beats. Among his favorite interviews were Henry J. Kaiser, Alec Guiness and Rosemary Clooney. One of his best-loved assignments was the political beat where he made many lasting friendships. Bud moved on to corporate publications with Hawaiian Telephone Company/GTE. An expert in his field of corporate communications, he served as President of the Honolulu Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators, and held leadership positions at the national level as well. He was often invited to speak as a guest lecturer to journalism students at the University of Hawaii. Following early retirement, he returned to his journalistic roots as managing editor of Pacific Magazine, a business publication for the Pacific Rim countries, a job that took him on many memorable travel assignments. A man for all seasons, Bud enjoyed and excelled at a remarkable breadth of hobbies and interests. Acting was an important part of his life. Throughout the years he appeared in many plays on Honolulu stages with local theater groups including HTY, HCT, Windward Theater Guild, Manoa Valley Theater and Commedia, a repertory theater troop he formed with fellow actors. His memorable character roles ranged from T.S. Arthur's Ten Nights in a Bar Room and Bertolt Brecht's Mother Courage to George Bernard Shaw's Major Barbara and even a romantic role in Neil Simon's Plaza Suite. His favorite role was Ichabod Crane in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, a production he enjoyed sharing with his daughter Diana. Bud even donned tights to play Oberon in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream! He became President of the Board for HTY as well as a board member for Manoa Valley Theater and Diamond Head Theater. An active member of the Honolulu Press Club, Bud acted in and produced their annual Gridiron Show, and also competed on their cribbage team. Bud was a sport and a sports fan. An exceptional league bowler, he was also a regular player at the Punahou tennis courts.An avid hiker throughout his life, he especially loved planning family backpacking trips to the North Cascades. Supporting his son Mark's athletic endeavors, Bud coached baseball and refereed youth basketball leagues. A devoted fan of his grandkids' sports endeavors, "Grandpa Bear's" boisterous cheers could be heard at soccer games and ski races across the Pacific Northwest. A fan since childhood, he rejoiced to see his beloved Cubs win the World Series. And never was there a more fervent WSU Cougar athletic fan than Bud Bendix. An avid stamp collector since age 8, it was a lifelong hobby and passion. Working with his extensive collection of US and foreign stamps contributed to his wide knowledge of history and geography. His encyclopedic knowledge made him a master at crossword puzzles. It was his daily goal to solve the New York Times crossword puzzlebefore 10 a.m.! Bud had a heart for community service. Following in his father's footsteps he joined the Steilacoom, WA Masonic lodge. He became a 33rd degree Mason at the Honolulu Scottish Rite where he devoted many hours of service. It was important for him to spend a part of every Christmas Day with the children at the Shriner's Hospital. One of Bud's greatest joys in life was preparing gourmet meals for his family and friends, who often exclaimed that his menus rivaled those of the finest restaurants. A self-taught disciple of Don Pierce, Bud's well-worn copy of Master in the Kitchen is chock full of his notes, creating personalized versions of his favorite dishes that will live on in the family. Meals on the Bendix lanai were always accompanied by hearty laughter and stimulating conversation where Bud enjoyed sharing his extensive knowledge of the perfectly paired fine wines that flowed. An epicurean purist at heart, he was proud of the fact that his shadow never darkened the door of a fast food restaurant! Those who knew him well describe Bud as a super spouse, loving father and grandfather, with a wry wit and contagious laugh, warm, welcoming and always generous with his affection and respect for all. 10 years ago, Bud and Jeannine moved from Hawaii to Portland, Oregon to be closer to their family. They found a church home at Valley Community Presbyterian Church and at last he had more time to devote to his stamp collection! He also enjoyed reading widely, listening to his favorite jazz music, wine tasting, and hiking regularly in the neighborhood arboretum. Bud is survived by his wife, Jeannine Hoyt Bendix of Portland, OR, brother Fred (Gail) Bendix of Bellevue, WA, son Mark (Lynn) Bendix of Portland, OR, daughter Diana Bendix Wahl of Sandpoint, ID, grandson Peik Wahl of Portland, OR granddaughter Lani Wahl of Sandpoint, ID, and nephews Bryan Bendix of Bellevue, WA and Brad (Sandi) and Brandon Bendix of Kirkland, WA.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
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- A Man for All Seasons LeRoy Charles "Bud" Bendix, Jr. passed away at his home in Portland, Oregon on November 3rd after a courageous battle with cancer. His wit, warmth and sense of humor will be missed by all who had the honor of knowing him and were lucky enough to experience his unparalleled hospitality and generosity. Bud was born to LeRoy Charles Bendix, Sr. and Marion Schlesser Bendix on January 20, 1931 in Chewelah, Washington where his father taught and coached. The family moved to Elma, WA where he grew up with his younger brother Fred, until moving to Tacoma as a teenager. Bud met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Jeannine Hoyt, when they were sophomores at Clover Park High School in Lakewood. During his high school years he was involved in student government, theatrical performances, football and basketball. A standout Journalism Major at Washington State University, Bud was named Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Evergreen as a junior, an honor usually reserved for seniors. He was especially known for his editorial column "The Thin Man Speaks." A natural leader who was well-liked by all, Bud served as President of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, where his father had been a charter member. Named as an Outstanding Senior, his classmates elected him President of the Senior Class of 1953. After they both graduated from WSU, Bud and Jeannine were married in their hometown of Tacoma, WA. Fulfilling his ROTC commitment, he became an Army officer serving in New Jersey, Washington State and the Philippines. After his military service, Bud's journalism career continued, working with weekly newspapers in Kent and Renton, WA. Bud and Jeannine embarked on their next adventure in 1958, moving to Hawaii where Bud signed on with the Honolulu Advertiser and Jeannine became a teacher at Punahou School. They had fun exploring their new home in their TR3 sports car and racing their lightning class sailboat, the Wiki Wiki. Their son Mark was born in 1960, followed by daughter Diana in 1963. As a reporter, Bud covered many beats. Among his favorite interviews were Henry J. Kaiser, Alec Guiness and Rosemary Clooney. One of his best-loved assignments was the political beat where he made many lasting friendships. Bud moved on to corporate publications with Hawaiian Telephone Company/GTE. An expert in his field of corporate communications, he served as President of the Honolulu Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators, and held leadership positions at the national level as well. He was often invited to speak as a guest lecturer to journalism students at the University of Hawaii. Following early retirement, he returned to his journalistic roots as managing editor of Pacific Magazine, a business publication for the Pacific Rim countries, a job that took him on many memorable travel assignments. A man for all seasons, Bud enjoyed and excelled at a remarkable breadth of hobbies and interests. Acting was an important part of his life. Throughout the years he appeared in many plays on Honolulu stages with local theater groups including HTY, HCT, Windward Theater Guild, Manoa Valley Theater and Commedia, a repertory theater troop he formed with fellow actors. His memorable character roles ranged from T.S. Arthur's Ten Nights in a Bar Room and Bertolt Brecht's Mother Courage to George Bernard Shaw's Major Barbara and even a romantic role in Neil Simon's Plaza Suite. His favorite role was Ichabod Crane in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, a production he enjoyed sharing with his daughter Diana. Bud even donned tights to play Oberon in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream! He became President of the Board for HTY as well as a board member for Manoa Valley Theater and Diamond Head Theater. An active member of the Honolulu Press Club, Bud acted in and produced their annual Gridiron Show, and also competed on their cribbage team. Bud was a sport and a sports fan. An exceptional league bowler, he was also a regular player at the Punahou tennis courts.An avid hiker throughout his life, he especially loved planning family backpacking trips to the North Cascades. Supporting his son Mark's athletic endeavors, Bud coached baseball and refereed youth basketball leagues. A devoted fan of his grandkids' sports endeavors, "Grandpa Bear's" boisterous cheers could be heard at soccer games and ski races across the Pacific Northwest. A fan since childhood, he rejoiced to see his beloved Cubs win the World Series. And never was there a more fervent WSU Cougar athletic fan than Bud Bendix. An avid stamp collector since age 8, it was a lifelong hobby and passion. Working with his extensive collection of US and foreign stamps contributed to his wide knowledge of history and geography. His encyclopedic knowledge made him a master at crossword puzzles. It was his daily goal to solve the New York Times crossword puzzlebefore 10 a.m.! Bud had a heart for community service. Following in his father's footsteps he joined the Steilacoom, WA Masonic lodge. He became a 33rd degree Mason at the Honolulu Scottish Rite where he devoted many hours of service. It was important for him to spend a part of every Christmas Day with the children at the Shriner's Hospital. One of Bud's greatest joys in life was preparing gourmet meals for his family and friends, who often exclaimed that his menus rivaled those of the finest restaurants. A self-taught disciple of Don Pierce, Bud's well-worn copy of Master in the Kitchen is chock full of his notes, creating personalized versions of his favorite dishes that will live on in the family. Meals on the Bendix lanai were always accompanied by hearty laughter and stimulating conversation where Bud enjoyed sharing his extensive knowledge of the perfectly paired fine wines that flowed. An epicurean purist at heart, he was proud of the fact that his shadow never darkened the door of a fast food restaurant! Those who knew him well describe Bud as a super spouse, loving father and grandfather, with a wry wit and contagious laugh, warm, welcoming and always generous with his affection and respect for all. 10 years ago, Bud and Jeannine moved from Hawaii to Portland, Oregon to be closer to their family. They found a church home at Valley Community Presbyterian Church and at last he had more time to devote to his stamp collection! He also enjoyed reading widely, listening to his favorite jazz music, wine tasting, and hiking regularly in the neighborhood arboretum. Bud is survived by his wife, Jeannine Hoyt Bendix of Portland, OR, brother Fred (Gail) Bendix of Bellevue, WA, son Mark (Lynn) Bendix of Portland, OR, daughter Diana Bendix Wahl of Sandpoint, ID, grandson Peik Wahl of Portland, OR granddaughter Lani Wahl of Sandpoint, ID, and nephews Bryan Bendix of Bellevue, WA and Brad (Sandi) and Brandon Bendix of Kirkland, WA.
