Ralph was born June 4, 1930 to Donald and Ada (Durstein) Bender in Chapin, IA. He graduated from Chapin High School in 1948. Ralph enlisted into the United States Army in March of 1951 and was honorable discharged in March of 1953. He was united in marriage to Rhoda Symens on August 14, 1953. He then attended Northwest Institute of Technology in 1955. Ralph was employed with Sacred Heart Hospital in Le Mars, IA as a Lab. Tech from 1955-1957, Marshalltown Hospital as a Lab. Tech. From 1957-1961, Nevada, IA Story County Hospital from 1961-1968 and lastly he worked at Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center as manager of laboratory from 1968 until he retired in 1995. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Lions International, Iowa Association of Blood Banks and the Marshalltown Community Nursing Board. He enjoyed gardening, golfing, cheering on the Chicago Cubs and Iowa State Cyclones.

Ralph will be missed by his wife, Rhoda; a son, Loren (Mindy) Bender; a daughter, Cynthia Calhoun; a sister, Barbara Coe; three grandchildren: Megan, Parker, Noah; two great-grandchildren: Jayden and Mason; and one sister-in-law; Delores Bender. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Robert and Doug Bender.