Irwin Bendet

Irwin Bendet, a 28 year resident of Santa Barbara CA, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on December 24 2024 after a long journey with dementia. He was 97 years old.

Irwin was born on May 9 1927, in the Bronx, NY, to the late Anna Feldman and Julius Bendet. He enlisted in the Navy at 18 and then attended City College New York. He received advanced degrees at U Michigan and UC Berkeley under the GI bill. He spent his entire career at the University of Pittsburgh conducting research and teaching biophysics.

On December 29, 1960, Irwin married Roslyn Miller, in Pensacola FL. They met at a Pittsburgh Symphony concert. This was the beginning of a 64 year marriage.

Irwin (and Roz) loved to travel, especially to Switzerland. He was a violinist throughout his life; first taking lessons from his uncle at age 6 and later playing chamber music until his final years. He also, like his father, made jewelry. One of the things that brought him to Santa Barbara was the Music Academy of the West, where he loved to attend master classes, following along with his sheet music. He said his happiest years were those spent in Santa Barbara, where he would often remark, with joy, “Not a cloud in the sky!”

Irwin is remembered by friends and family for his gentleness, accepting nature, and positive attitude toward life. He is survived by his wife Roz, son David (Cathy) of Alamo, CA, and daughter Bess (Kristin Rothballer) of San Francisco, CA.

Irwin’s family is grateful for the loving care provided to him by caregivers during the last phase of his life- at Friendship Center, Mission Villa and David Retiguin. There is a private service on Tuesday, December 31 at Santa Barbara Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Santa Barbara Music Club,Ellen Reidel Memorial Scholarship Fund, in support of free musical scholarships and concerts for the community.