Bender (born August 14, 1929) is an emeritus professor of linguistics at the University of Hawai?i specializing in Micronesian languages, primarily Marshallese, and Oceanic languages more generally.
He joined the Department of Linguistics in 1965, serving as its chair (1969β1995) and as editor of its journal Oceanic Linguistics (1991β2007).
He also served the University as president of its faculty union (1983β1988) and as a member of the Board of Regents (2003βpresent).
Born in Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania, Bender received a B.A.
in English from Goshen College in Indiana in 1949, and an M.A.
in linguistics from Indiana University in 1950.
After spending 1953β1959 teaching in the Marshall Islands in what was then the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands under U.S.
administration, he returned to teach linguistics and anthropology at Goshen College in 1960β1962 before completing a Ph.D.
in linguistics from Indiana University in 1963.
His dissertation analyzed Marshallese place names.
In 1962β1964, he served as English Program Supervisor for the Trust Territory, then taught English at the University of Hawai?i before joining the Department of Linguistics.