Dr. Robert Edwin Fenstermacher
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Dr. Robert Edwin Fenstermacher, 94, died on Sunday, October 3rd, in Fort Wayne, Indiana where he had resided since moving from South Bend in September of 2020. Born in Marion, Indiana on June 2nd, 1927 to George and Eloise Fenstermacher of Upland, IN, Bob was married to Anita Jane Owen at Wallace Street Presbyterian in Indianapolis on October 21, 1955. Anita preceded Bob in death in 2000. Together, they had seven children: Mark, Eric, Heidi, Edwin, David, Stephen and Elizabeth.
Dr. Fenstermacher later graduated from the Indiana University School of Medicine and the School of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium. Bob was a United Methodist medical missionary in Africa and Alaska. Bob later was in private practice in Walkerton, Indiana for many years before becoming director of the Family Residency program at South Bend Memorial. Persons of deep Christian faith, Bob and Anita were active in churches wherever they lived.
Bob is survived by his sister, Dorothy Villwock (MN); daughters Heidi Devito (Mike), Elizabeth Gatorano (Phanuel) and sons Mark (Sharon), Edwin (Marlene) and David (Beth). Living grandchildren include Bryan (Joleen), Nathan, Michael (Sarah), Nicholas, Andre, Natalie Pelnar (Joe), Sadie, Michele (Stephanie), Taylor Jane, Erik, Kyle, and Andy (Danielle), and eight great grandchildren. Sons Eric and Stephen both died in childhood, a beloved granddaughter, Abbey, left this earth far too early as a young adult, and a great granddaughter, Edith, was stillborn.
Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, October 15th, at the Palmer Funeral Home - Guisinger Chapel at 3718 South Michigan in South Bend, and on Saturday, October 16th, from 10-11 a.m. at South Bend Grace United Methodist Church (3012 South Twyckenham Drive, South Bend) prior to the 11 a.m. celebration worship service of Bob's life. The Reverend Herb Buwalda will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be given to South Bend Grace UMC. Burial will be at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park (375 West Cleveland Rd., Granger, IN 46530) following the service.