[1][2][3] Appointed by Pope John Paul II, he served as bishop of the Diocese of Grand Island in Nebraska from December 13, 2004, until January 14, 2015.

Raised on a farm, he was a member of the first graduating class of Mount Michael High School in Elkhorn, Nebraska, in 1957.

[4] After his ordination, Dendinger taught at St. Edward Central Catholic High School in Elgin, Nebraska.

[6] In 1974, Dendinger was appointed cadet wing chaplain at the U.S. Air Force Academy, serving there for four years.

[7][4] On January 14, 2015, Pope Francis accepted Dendinger's letter of resignation as bishop of Grand Island and appointed Monsignor Joseph G. Hanefeldt as his replacement.