Andrew John Bodenbender

Andrew John Bodenbender, 68, died on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at Richmond General Hospital in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. A memorial service was held at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Richmond, British Columbia at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16, 2013. A service in the chapel of Andrew’s hometown church, Trinity Lutheran Church in Moline, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 20th. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Moline Memorial Park. Andrew was born July 25, 1944 in Moline, the son of Henry and Katherine Zschocke Bodenbender. Andrew attended Moline Schools: Hamilton Elementary, John Deere Junior High School, and Moline Senior High School. Following graduation from Moline Senior High School in 1962, Andy attended Blackhawk College in Moline. He continued his education at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois where in June, 1968 he graduated from the Business College with a Bachelor of Science Degree. While at Southern Illinois University Andy joined Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, Zeta Nu Chapter, and served as President from 1966 to 1967. On December 18, 1976, Andrew married Beverly Moore in Richmond, British Columbia. Although Andy prepared for an alternate future during his undergraduate education, all he ever really wanted to do was fly airplanes. Andy served on active duty for six years as a naval aviator and flight instructor. His duty stations included Pensacola, Florida, and Naval Air Stations Corpus Christi, Texas, and Alameda, California. He was discharged from active duty in 1973 as a Navy Lt USNR. Following active duty naval service, Andy had an extensive history in commercial aviation. From 1973 until his retirement, Andy was a pilot for Harrison Air; Pacific Western Airlines; America West Airlines; Canadian International Airlines; and Air Canada. Andy retired in 2004 as First Officer. Andy had unique mechanical talents. His achievements included automobile engine replacements and the complete restoration of the Honda classic motorcycle his parents gave him during his student days at Southern Illinois University. Andy devoted his life to his children Julianna Kari, Melissa Liane, Philip Arthur, and Steven Andrew. In his retirement years, his travels included visits to them and their families and several trips to visit his Mother in Moline. Andy’s travels included California’s Death Valley; Colorado, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, and the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert; Rhode Island; and Boston. Andrew was a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Richmond and Lions Club International. Andy’s Lions Club membership aligned with his belief in service to others. He attended meetings regularly with his friend Randy Shirk. Andrew’s life was enriched and supported because of the loving care of the following individuals: pastors Tim LeDrew and Ken Harris; doctors Peter Quelch, John Yun, Y.D. You, Jeffrey Cao, and Alexandros Alexiadis; faithful friends Donna Elvis, Bunny Logan-May, and Randy Shirk; and devoted and loving caregiver Teresa Caincay. Andrew is survived by his children Julianna Kari (Matthew) Bassman, Westminster, Colorado; Melissa Liane Bodenbender, Newport, Rhode Island; Philip Arthur, Delta, British Columbia; Steven Andrew, New Westminster, British Columbia; grandchildren Henry Reinhardt and Bradyn Shelbe Bassman, Westminster, Colorado, and Grace Leanna Bodenbender, New Westminster, British Columbia; Mother Katherine Bodenbender, Moline, brothers Reinhardt, Vienna, Virginia, Arthur (Louann), Moline, and sister Katherine Dorothea, Moline; maternal aunt Anna Prior, Cölbe, Germany; niece Maria (Christopher), nephews Kurt, Karl (Catherine), Andrew (Lalanya); great nieces Mathilde, Isolde, Karolina, Rosemary and great nephews Peter and Josef; and many cousins in Germany and Switzerland. Andy was preceded in death by his father Henry Bodenbender, sister-in-law Marilyn, niece Christine, great niece Lilie, and great nephew Viktor. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Andrew J. Bodenbender to Richmond Hospital Foundation. Donations will be used to purchase Sleeper Chairs for family members who wish to stay overnight with their loved one in the hospital. Donations may be made online (www.richmondhospitalfoundation.com) or by mail to Richmond Hospital Foundation, 7000 Westminster Highway, Richmond BC V6X 1A2.

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