Leigh Arthur Rood Bandekow, retired banker

Leigh Arthur Rood Bandekow, 74, of Millsboro, passed away at Delaware Hospice Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, with his wife by his side. He was born Oct. 8, 1949, in Orange, N.J., son of the late Richard J. vonLengerke Bandekow and Elizabeth (Rood) Bandekow.

Leigh grew up in Maplewood, N.J., and was a graduate of Newark Academy High School Class of 1967. He attended University of Delaware, where he served as president of his fraternity, met his future wife, and graduated with a degree in business marketing. He obtained a master's degree in banking from Stonier School of Banking. He spent over 40 years working in different facets of the banking industry, beginning his career at Farmers Bank in Wilmington. His family moved to Rehoboth in 1984 when he was hired as the branch manager at Mellon Bank on Rehoboth Avenue. He spent many years as a mortgage lender for Mortgage Capital Investors and ended his career at Bank of America, retiring in 2014 as a fraud analyst. 

Leigh was a lifelong music lover. His favorite artists included The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Jimmy Buffett. He spent many of his later years collecting coins and clocks. He enjoyed spending time at the beach while soaking in the sun and listening to the waves. He loved animals, especially dogs, and was a devoted Eagles fan. His most endearing qualities were, however, those of being generous and loving to those he held near to his heart. Leigh will be deeply missed and forever loved by all the lives he touched.

Leigh is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sharon Bandekow of Millsboro; his sons, Tim Bandekow and Dan Bandekow (Janet); his daughter, Katie Montgomery (Stephen); his grandchildren, Xander, Erin and Zane Montgomery; his brother, Scott Bandekow (Linda); and brother-in-law, Stephen Franklin (Donna).

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Leigh's memory to the National Kidney Foundation, support.kidney.org.

Visit Mr. Bandekow's Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.