By Lori EhdeGene Bendix will be remembered in Luverne for his love of teaching, and his students will never forget the enthusiasm he brought to classroom."His students would always come back and say he was a good teacher," his wife, Arlene Bendix, said Tuesday."He loved what he did, he loved the kids, and he was always interjecting that into the classroom."These qualities didn’t go unnoticed by his fellow teachers, who named him Luverne’s first-ever Teacher of the Year in 1966.According to the Echo, the high school newspaper, the teacher named must be "exceptionally skillful and dedicated."That year was the 16th year of teaching in Luverne for Bendix, who taught chemistry and science. He went on to receive state recognition that year for "excellence in teaching." The write-up in the Echo found its way back to Ortonville, where Bendix grew up and graduated from high school.A front-page story in the Ortonville Independent offered a biography of sorts on Bendix.He received his bachelor’s degree from Hamline University, St. Paul, and his master’s degree in science from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion.He taught his first year in Huntley and 10 years in Renville before coming to Luverne in 1962.In 1959 and 1960, Bendix was a traveling science teacher for the National Science Foundation through Michigan State University.He was one of 20 teachers named nationally and covered a seven-state area that included 20 schools in southwest Minnesota and Iowa.Another Echo student writer offered insight on Bendix’s classroom rapport."Mr. Bendix’s nickname is ‘Geno’ to his golfing buddies," the article stated (Bendix also coached the LHS golf team). "He enjoys golfing, photography and hunting. Sunday is his favorite day. His pet peeves are students who don’t ask questions."The writer also shared a classroom experience."One science experiment he will never forget is when he was demonstrating a fire extinguisher he had made. It blew up in his face."Bendix died Monday after a 10-year decline in health following complications with knee surgery. Persistent non-malignant tumors prompted amputation – first at the knee several years ago, and then at the hip last year when tumors became cancerous.He was 80 years old.See page 8A for his complete obituary.