Obituary - Archie G. Bendel

Archie Gregory Bendel, 72

Archie Gregory Bendel died Oct. 19, 2011, at Good Samaritan Village in Moscow at the age of 72.

Archie was born Dec. 7, 1938, in Colfax, to Clyde McIntyre and Elizabeth Smithwick. Archie's father Clyde died of injuries sustained during the D-Day invasion of 1944, and his mother married William Bendel in 1951. William adopted Archie and raised him as his own.

Archie attended the Ursuline Acadamy in Moscow until it closed, finishing his education and graduating from Moscow High School in 1955. William and Archie were active members in the Moscow 4-H, oftentimes transporting animals to out-of-town shows. Raising a small herd of cattle, Archie and his stepfather owned and operated Bendel's Meats in Troy from 1963-1981. Bill died in 1972 and Archie continued to run the meat business with the help of his wife, whom he married on July 12, 1975. After closing the doors to the meat shop in 1981, Archie worked for Washington State University until his retirement in 1996.

Archie liked to hunt, fish and ride four-wheelers, but he especially liked to play cards. He was always looking forward to his Wednesday afternoon card game with friends.

In the '60s and '70s, Archie worked with Troy High School athletics. He could always be found running the score clock or chains for football games and writing down statistics for the boys' basketball team. Archie was a Vandal fan and always enjoyed watching their football games.

Archie is survived by his wife; his sons of Rathdrum, Idaho, and Troy; stepson of Troy; half-sister of Sonora, Calif.; and his eight grandchildren.

A celebration of Archie's life will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Short's Funeral Chapel in Moscow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Troy Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 324, Troy, ID 83871; or the Troy Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 9, Troy, ID 83871.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel, and online condolences can be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.

Lewiston Tribune, October 22, 2011, p. 5D
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock