Robert Leroy Fessler

Robert “Bob” Leroy Fessler was born September 1, 1934 to Lulu Mae (nee. Avery) and Grover Fessler in Piqua, Ohio. He was the oldest of four children. He had two brothers, John and Ken and a sister, Sharon. They all have proceeded him in death. The family moved to Columbus when the kids were young. Bob met the love of his life, Mary (nee. Pack) Fessler when they were in their late teens at a roller rink. They married May 3, 1954, via eloping to Richmond, Indiana because they were not quite 21 which was a requirement in Ohio. Although some young marriages don’t stick theirs did having recently celebrated 72 years of marriage. They have been best friends and pretty much inseparable their whole marriage. They loved traveling together and had many adventures across the US. They visited Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Maine and Nova Scotia to name just a few spots. His favorite place was near Graceland. 

Bob attended Central HS in Columbus. He served in the Army active duty as an MP for 2 years in Fort Hood, Texas. He actually pulled Elvis Presley over for speeding on the base. Mary was not happy he didn’t get his autograph. Bob received awards in Marksmanship and Good Conduct.  He then spent 4 years in the Reserves in Columbus. Again with an Honorable Discharge. 

He had an over 40 year career with Owens Illinois (later know as Techniglass) which made TV picture tubes. He did equipment maintenance. Mary joined him working there. 

They have one son, William “Bill” Robert Fessler, who was born September 26, 1959. They were all involved in their Freewill Baptist Church for years. Bob served as a deacon there. Bob was also a Boy Scout troop leader when Bill was in scouts. 

They moved a number of times when they were first married all in Columbus. When Bill was in later Elementary they decided he needed to be raised in the country. They bought a house with a few acres and a horse in Pataskala, Ohio. They lived there until the late 1980s. 

Bob and Mary embraced country life and learned to raise a large garden. Bill remembers rows of green beans and his parents snapping them into the night. 

Bob also embraced learning about computers. He had one of the first TRS80s. 

He wasn’t afraid to try new things. 

Bob and Mary spent a number of years working at Walmart in Columbus after retirement until they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio to be near Bill about 12 years ago. While in Columbus, he and Mary enjoyed taking their granddaughters to COSI and Magic Mountain. In Cincinnati, they enjoyed attending their grandchildren’s activities. Bob loved his grandchildren and great-granddaughter. He was particularly attached to Robby, his grandson with disabilities. Bob always asked how Robby was doing.

Bob joined St. Bartholomew Parish about a month ago after attending with Bill and his family almost a year. He was very comforted by the sacraments he received at the end of his life. 

Bob is survived by his wife of 72 years, Mary (Pack) Fessler, his son, William (Elise) Fessler,  grandchildren, Maddy (Jeff) Weinkam, Robby Fessler, Sarah (Henry) Halvorson, and Christen Fessler, great-granddaughter Rory Weinkam and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at St. Bartholomew Parish, 9375 Winton Road Cincinnati, OH 45231 at 1:30 pm with visitation beginning at 12:30 pm. Burial will take place on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 2:30 pm at Arlington Memorial Gardens, 2145 Compton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231 with family and friends meeting at the Family Gathering Area at 2:15 pm.

In Lieu of flowers please consider donating to Dark Horse Inclusion (Venmo @DarkHorseInclusion or website: https://www.darkhorseinclusion.com/donate). This is where Robby rides horses.