Firefighter III, Fire Station 38-C
Deceased:
March 30, 2020
Appointed:
09/23/1957
Pensioned:
10/29/1988 – FS 38C
Services:
PRIVATE
Donations:
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO:
Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
PO BOX 41903
Los Angeles, CA 90041
George, Sorry to learn of your passing. You were a lot of fun to work with back in 70’s at F.S. 38. Lots of laughs. You will be missed my friend. Rest easy.
Sorry to hear about your Dad Dave. My condolences to all the Bender family.
Dave, My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. I pray that the Lord will embrace your dad in eternal peace and give all of you the strength and faith you need in these hard times. With love and prayers, Fr. Chris
Dave my deepest condolences to you and your family.
As rookies at 38’s Vince and I appreciated the running enthusiasm of your Dad. Running early in the morning before shift change. My Dad, Frank, referred to George as “Truck 21” back in the day. The roof will be ventilated by George before Truck 22 arrived! Great memories – Rest in Jesus George.
Jim Jure, I worked with your dad at T-22 in 1968. The Summer of the mini riots that was over in a weekend. He was one strong, tough guy! While I was doing dishes he picked me up and sat my butt in the sink. Once he put me down the laughing subsided. Being a former LAPD and not knowing who I was dealing with, I spun around and picked Frank up and stuck his head in the sink. After which, one to the crew pulled me aside and said; “You don’t do things like that to Frank!” Fortunately for me, your dad let it drop right there.
I also knew George briefly from FS 21. I can still see his smile.
I met George in my first house as a rookie at FS 21 “B”. What an education I got from day one. Bob Gripp was the Capt. and I couldn’t have asked for a better fire ground officer and leader. And, I couldn’t have asked for a more seasoned crew and fun loving bunch of guys to learn from. Having come from a quite small town Fire Dept. just riding down Central Ave. on the tailboard with George and Lonnie Mansker with Engineer Paul Pfaff driving was an experience all by itself! They spent the better part of the first day driving the district and pointing out all the fires I had missed during the Watt’s Riots. “You should’ve been there Kid”! Needless to say, my very first fire that evening was an LAPD patrol car in the projects that had been torched via molotov cocktail. With a large crowd of cheering bystanders, I just knew that the next LA riot was about to start that night!
One of my many responsibilities as the rookie, besides taking care of Mother and her new puppies, was to clean George and Paul’s office out in the Drill Tower. You would have had to have worked there to know what I speak of, but let’s just say that the monthly phone bill from the drill tower was greater than all the rest of the phones combined in all of Battalion 8!!!
It wasn’t long before my wife and I were included in the station’s social activities such as river trips, parties at the Bender Mansion, etc. etc.
I’ll never forget George’s strength, aggressive firefighting, and outgoing personality. He lived a good life and will be missed by all that knew him. RIP my friend.
Dave, Julie & Bender Family: Please accept my condolences on the passing of your Father George. I am a member of your 12/83 Drill Tower Class. Even as “Pups” on the Job I knew of your strong family bond and Legacy on the LAFD through your Father and the Gardner Family. I am sure your Family has grown strong through all these years based on the Example your father demonstrated daily and reflected in you. It is interesting to note that now we are the “Old Dogs” our Love of Family and God continues to grow.
May your Dad, George, Rest Well in the Lord.
Rick Erquiaga
Dave and family – I know how it is to lose parents. It still hurts more than 20 years later. Suzie and I empathize with you and the family. Take care.
Dave, sorry to hear of the passing of your father. My condolences to you and your entire family. Hugs Davy