Funeral service honoring the life of Robert “Bob” DeWayne Fenner will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall St., Shreveport, La. Officiating the service will be Dr. Carl Rhoads, associate pastor of First United Methodist Church Shreveport. A visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be held at 3 p.m. at Chapelwood Memorial Gardens in Vivian, Louisiana for family members only.
Bob was born on Feb. 18, 1930, to Hubert D. Fenner and Ruth Moon Fenner in El Dorado, Arkansas. He passed away on Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Shreveport, La.
Bob was a 1953 graduate of Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, and a 1957 graduate of Louisiana State University with a Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. He also served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955. Bob was a Registered Civil Engineer, and he was a founding partner in the engineering firm Aillet, Fenner, Jolly and McClelland, Inc. During his career, he was a member of the American Society of Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Louisiana Engineering Society, and the American Concrete Institute. Bob was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church in Shreveport, La.
Bob was an exceptional athlete. He played football, basketball, and boxed while attending LaGrange High School in Lake Charles, La. He was a quarterback on the Louisiana Tech football team in college. Bob’s love of football carried over to his adult life, where he later officiated in the Southeastern Conference. He was a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan.
Bob came from a large family and raised a large family of his own. He loved family gatherings and put family first throughout his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Marilyn Norman Fenner; his brother, Jack Fenner; his sisters, Betty Fenner Taylor and Patsy Fenner Day; and his son, James Shaver.
Bob is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ruth Self Shaver Fenner; and his seven surviving children and their families, Gary Fenner; Janet Fenner Grace and husband, Bob; Bob Shaver and wife, Linda; Chuck Shaver; Malancy Shaver Rosenzweig and husband, Mike; Alan Fenner; and Keith Fenner and wife, Kayla.
Bob was affectionately known as “Paw Paw” to his grandchildren, Charlie Fenner; Jed Fenner; Melanie Fenner; Caroline Grace Capps and husband, John; Elizabeth Grace Bandera and husband, Jeff; Michael Grace; Erin Shaver Foster and husband, Ryan; Charlsie Shaver; Julien Rosenzweig Rainwater and husband, Mike; Nicholas Rosenzweig and wife, Claire; Leigha Fenner; Jakob Fenner and wife, Haley; Kendel Fenner; Jack Fenner; 10 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild.
He is survived by his sister, Priscilla Fenner Barlow and many nieces and nephews.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be his grandsons and great-grandsons.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials may be made to the Louisiana United Methodist Children’s Home, 904 DeVille Lane, Ruston, LA 71270.
Bob Fenner was smart, fun-loving, kind, and generous. He was a calm voice of reason amidst the chaos of life, and he will be missed but cherished by those who knew and loved him.