. Robert B. “Bob” Fancher, age 75, of Joplin, MO. Passed away at 7:11 p.m. Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at Mercy Hospital Joplin.

Bob was born December 13, 1940 in Whorton Creek, Arkansas. Bob was a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He received his Master’s Degree from the University of Arkansas. He came to Joplin in 1972 when he began a 30 year career with Empire District Electric Co. retiring in 2001 as Vice-President of Finance. Bob was a 10 year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank as Captain. Bob was a former Boy Scout Leader, and a member of the Joplin Noon Rotary Club. He was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and was awarded the Young Engineer of the Year by the Mo. Society of Professional Engineers in 1976. Bob was a 42 year member of the Villa Heights Christian Church where he served as a Deacon, Elder and a Sunday School Teacher. He was currently a member of the College Heights Christian Church. Bob served as an officer with the Mountain Meadows Monument Organization in Arkansas.

Bob married his beloved Patricia Donahae on March 25, 1967 in Rockville, MD and she survives. Additional survivors include a daughter, Terri Michele Bell and husband Jeffrey, St. Louis, MO, two sons, John Robert Fancher and wife Ashlee, Hollister, MO, and Samuel Joseph Fancher and wife Mandy, Joplin, two sisters, Betty Coger and husband Kay, Huntsville, AR, and Mary Coger, Colliersville, TN, one brother, Joseph Fancher and wife Kathleen Springdale, AR, and 11 grandchildren, Ashley, Tyler, Olivia, Keeley, Ivey, Emma, Jackson, Amanda, Brecken, Abby, and Maci. Bob was preceded in death by a sister, Sharon Rektor.

Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday at the College Heights Christian Church Worship Center with Mark Scott, and Gary Zustiak, Ministers, officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow at the Mt. Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m. Sunday at the Church Worship Center. Those attending the service or visitation are requested to use parking lots C, D, and E on the northeast, and southeast side of the campus. Memorial contributions are requested to Christ in Youth, or Rapha House in care of the Mortuary. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary or Joplin, MO.