Robert Wayne Fanning, USAF (Ret.) - Cremation Society of Virginia

Robert Wayne Fanning

March 13, 1931 - November 7, 2025

In Loving Memory of Robert W. Fanning

It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of loss that we announce the passing of our beloved Robert W. Fanning—a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is reunited with his cherished wife, Mary, and his grandson, Christopher, whom he held dear.

Bob was known throughout the Virginia Beach community for his friendly, outgoing, and charismatic nature. He was a man of strong and wise Christian faith, which guided him through his many vocations. Bob was proud to be an Aggie, holding a Masters degree in meteorology from Texas A&M University. His life was marked by service, beginning with a long and distinguished career as a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force.

Following his military career, Bob became a true pillar at the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), serving as the Executive Vice President and CEO of Operation Blessing International (OBI). He channeled his leadership gifts into international relief and service, ensuring that aid, medicine, and compassion reached those in need around the globe. His dedication brought hope and healing to countless lives through OBI’s missions.

Bob’s deepest devotion was to his family, especially his wife, Mary Frances Trotter Fanning. After Mary was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Bob experienced firsthand the challenges faced by families battling this illness. Inspired by her courage and a desire to help others facing similar struggles, Bob dedicated his time to volunteering at the Alzheimer’s Association starting in 2009. After Mary passed away on March 6, 2010, having bravely battled Alzheimer’s disease, Bob channeled his deep love and compassion for her into dedicated community action. He became a volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association, where he spent over 4,000 hours leading support groups and offering insight to countless families facing the same illness.

He leaves behind a loving family who will carry on his legacy: his two children Dale (Patti) Fanning and Karen (Paul) Stevens, four surviving grandchildren, Andrew and Elizabeth Stevens, Greg Fanning and Rebecca Duff; and seven great-grandchildren, Ellie, Oliver, Nathaniel, Ryder, Kenzie, Harper and Castiel.

We celebrate the remarkable life of Robert W. Fanning—a man defined by his duty to his country, his faith in God, and his enduring love and compassion for his family and all humankind. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A memorial service and reception will be held at New Covenant Presbyterian Church,
1552 Kempsville Road, Virginia Beach, VA at 2:30 PM Saturday, November 22, 2025.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association

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In Loving Memory of Robert W. Fanning It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of loss that we announce the passing of our beloved Robert W. Fanning—a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is reunited with his cherished wife, Mary, and his grandson, Christopher, whom he held dear. Bob was known throughout…

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Impossible to say enough good about Bob. I first met him in 2004 when he came to our library at the Alzheimer's Association to learn all that he could to understand the disease that was ravaging his beloved Mary. When he had no choice but to place her in memory care he chose to spend time in service to the cause of caregiving. He was the wind beneath my wings as the Family Services Manager. He started by organizing and maintaining our library materials, assisting in updating and then producing our resource manual. After Mary left this world, he increased his time volunteering in the office as well as facilitating a support group. He maintained our support group and family education data base to assist me in reporting so that I had more time for in-person caregiver support and education. He participated in every facilitator education event, continuing to facilitate long after I retired! Most of all, Bob was a friend to share jokes, occasional Mexican lunches (where he always ordered the "Speedy Gonzales"), and his unbeatable peanut brittle at Christmas. He was the first person to call me up and take me to dinner after my own beloved spouse died. Bob cherished his Mary to the end of his days. He lauded her on a plaque on our office as "a Proverbs 31 wife." To me, Bob exemplifies "the just" in Psalm 1 verse 3: "[He is] like a tree planted near streams of water, that yields its fruit in due season; Its' leaves never wither; whatever [he does] prospers." May your memory continue to call us to a life of loving service, my dear friend.

I visited with Bob and my father, Del Quesinberry, whenever I was in Virginia, and they had their weekly get-togethers scheduled. It was always enjoyable to sit around and talk to Bob. He had a wide range of knowledge and loved to discuss history. He was always interested in what I had going on down in Georgia. I appreciated his service to our country. Just a really great guy. He will be missed.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.