Austin Letheridge Bender
Encyclopedia
A. L. “Chunk” Bender was the mayor of the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee
from 1969 to 1971 after serving as Commissioner for many years. Due to health problems he declined a re-election bid. While the office of mayor in Chattanooga is officially non-partisan, he was a member of the Democratic Party.
. He served in the United States Army
during World War II
and attained the rank of Captain. He saw action in the Pacific. While he was at war, his first daughter, Patricia Ann, was born. Two years later his second daughter Frances Kelso was born. Nine years after Frances' birth, the couple had another son, George Andrew.
Commissioner of Public Works and Vice-Mayor A.L. Bender assumed the office of Mayor on January 1, 1969, upon the resignation of Mayor Ralph Kelley. Following four years of service during World War II
, Bender returned to Chattanooga and became superintendent of city parks, a position he maintained until an unsuccessful bid for the county commission in 1955. In 1958, County Judge Wilkes Thrasher brought Bender back into public service by appointing him county manager. Upon the death of Public Works Commissioner Pat Wilcox in 1962, Bender was appointed to finish the term. Commissioner Bender ran successfully for a full term in 1963 and was re-elected in 1967 without opposition. Commissioner Bender received the largest percentage of votes among the other commissioners, and thus he became vice-mayor under Mayor Ralph Kelley.
On December 3, 1968, Mayor Kelly announced his resignation, passing the office of Mayor to “Chunk” Bender effective January 1, 1969. Due to ailing health and on his doctor’s advice, Mayor Bender resigned from office on January 26, 1971.
Bender's health suffered for several years and prevented his continuing in local politics, though he was close to Estes Kefauver
and his campaign. In 1980 he died from congestive heart failure
. His family continues to live in Chattanooga and the surrounding areas.
The rose garden
in Chattnooga's Warner Park is a testament to his time as Commissioner of Parks.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
from 1969 to 1971 after serving as Commissioner for many years. Due to health problems he declined a re-election bid. While the office of mayor in Chattanooga is officially non-partisan, he was a member of the Democratic Party.
Biography
Bender was born in 1916 in Chattanooga, the youngest of 14 children. In 1938 he married Rozelle Kelso from Fayetteville, TennesseeFayetteville, Tennessee
Fayetteville is a city in Lincoln County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 6,994 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lincoln County.-History:...
. He served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and attained the rank of Captain. He saw action in the Pacific. While he was at war, his first daughter, Patricia Ann, was born. Two years later his second daughter Frances Kelso was born. Nine years after Frances' birth, the couple had another son, George Andrew.
Commissioner of Public Works and Vice-Mayor A.L. Bender assumed the office of Mayor on January 1, 1969, upon the resignation of Mayor Ralph Kelley. Following four years of service during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Bender returned to Chattanooga and became superintendent of city parks, a position he maintained until an unsuccessful bid for the county commission in 1955. In 1958, County Judge Wilkes Thrasher brought Bender back into public service by appointing him county manager. Upon the death of Public Works Commissioner Pat Wilcox in 1962, Bender was appointed to finish the term. Commissioner Bender ran successfully for a full term in 1963 and was re-elected in 1967 without opposition. Commissioner Bender received the largest percentage of votes among the other commissioners, and thus he became vice-mayor under Mayor Ralph Kelley.
On December 3, 1968, Mayor Kelly announced his resignation, passing the office of Mayor to “Chunk” Bender effective January 1, 1969. Due to ailing health and on his doctor’s advice, Mayor Bender resigned from office on January 26, 1971.
Bender's health suffered for several years and prevented his continuing in local politics, though he was close to Estes Kefauver
Estes Kefauver
Carey Estes Kefauver July 26, 1903 – August 10, 1963) was an American politician from Tennessee. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the U.S...
and his campaign. In 1980 he died from congestive heart failure
Congestive heart failure
Heart failure often called congestive heart failure is generally defined as the inability of the heart to supply sufficient blood flow to meet the needs of the body. Heart failure can cause a number of symptoms including shortness of breath, leg swelling, and exercise intolerance. The condition...
. His family continues to live in Chattanooga and the surrounding areas.
The rose garden
Rose garden
A Rose garden or Rosarium is a garden or park, often open to the public, used to present and grow various types of garden roses. Designs vary tremendously and roses may be displayed alongside other plants or grouped by individual variety, colour or class in rose beds.-Origins of the rose...
in Chattnooga's Warner Park is a testament to his time as Commissioner of Parks.