Letters To The Editor

LEON BENDER

Bender scholarship proposed

I enjoyed John Blanchette’s column about Leon Bender (Monday, June 1). He was a very special person.

I was Chair of the Admission’s Committee when Leon was admitted and I employed him his first year at Washington State and was his academic faculty mentor.

We became close friends. He loved his family and brought his mother, father and sisters to my office when they visited Pullman. The day before he left Pullman he invited me to lunch. I went to his apartment and he wanted to show me all the pictures of Imani and Liza. He sheepishly told me we had to fold the laundry before we could go to lunch so he would not be in trouble with Liza.

He was a gentle giant who raised havoc on quarterbacks and running backs but more importantly, he was a loving, caring father and husband who was intelligent. His seizure disorders made it very challenging for him to learn his course work. He struggled but overcame.

He touched so many people during his tenure at WSU. I feel strongly that he has already been made St. Peter’s assistant to greet people at Heaven’s Gate and with those long eyelashes, dimples and that great smile, all who enter heaven will feel better.

The only change I would have made in The Spokesman’s coverage is that bit about being an ex-Coug. Once a Coug, always a Coug. Leon will be a Coug forever.

After lunch, he thanked me for my support and for always believing in him and for helping with the laundry. We have been blessed for knowing him and I would like to start a Leon Bender Academic/Athletic Memorial Scholarship. I hope others will contribute to ensure that his memory will live forever. Keith Campbell Associate Dean, WSU College of Pharmacy

Ailment a delicate issue

When the news report of the death of Leon Bender came on last night, I saw this handsome individual with the infectious smile.

It saddened me, the short life he had lived and all he had put forth to obtain his dream and finally seeing it come true, only to be taken away at age 22.

Then the newscaster said, he had epilepsy and I thought “is there nothing sacred anymore,” something as personal as this, at a time like this?

I felt like a mother being betrayed, when told her child has done something wrong, you know it but you don’t want anyone else to know.

Then I realized, yes it did need to be told. One more testimonial of how anyone, no matter what, can realize their dream, if they just believe they can.

This was one person I wish I could have known. My heart aches for his family. Leta L. Donahoo Spokane

MEMORIAL CUP

Thanks for the memories

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff at The Spokesman-Review for the great coverage given to the 80th Memorial Cup. I would especially like to send thanks and appreciation to staff writer Dan Weaver for all his work during the season and the Cup. His articles always put people at the game and his stories on the human side of the players are second to none. It was great to see the coverage as non-biased as it was and as much ink given to Portland, Guelph and Val-d’Or as to the Chiefs. Again, thank you to all the writers at The Spokesman-Review and to Dan Weaver for the insight to world’s greatest game. Shane Maitland Spokane