Robert Fenske

Robert (Bob) H. Fenske passed away in Oxford, Wisconsin on October 17, 2019, at the age of 87.

Born and raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Bob earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Master of Science in History and a Ph.D in Higher Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He worked for the Bureau of Institutional Research at the University of Minnesota; for the Illinois State Board of Higher Education; and served as Director of the Research Institute with American College Testing in Iowa City, Iowa. In 1974, Bob joined the College of Education at Arizona State University as a Professor of Higher Education and served as Director of the Center for the Study of Higher Education.  Dr. Fenske was a prolific scholar, widely recognized for his research on student financial aid and other topics related to college students. He served as a Research Fellow at the National Center for Educational Statistics in Washington D.C. in 1986/87 and was a charter member of the Association for Institutional Research.  He retired from Arizona State University in 2005 after 31 years.

Bob enjoyed living in Arizona during the academic year and travelling to his beloved home state of Wisconsin during the summer months, where he liked to fish and visit the places where he grew up. He was widely read and could converse on a number of topics and was known for asking probing questions to gain understanding.  He liked a good beer, a great glass of wine and loved a quality dinner out.  He enjoyed live symphony music and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Bob is survived by his long-time friend, Trudy Lorandos, a brother, David Fenske; his sons Eric, Kurt, and Brian; his daughters Valerie and Amy Lewis; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Harland and Cora Fenske; his sister Virginia Wilke; and his eldest daughter Dawn Lopez.

A private burial service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Algoma, Wisconsin.  Memorial services are pending.

Please take a moment to view the online guestbook.  Send your condolences or share a memory of Bob with his family & friends.