Robert B. Fetter

Robert B. Fetter

Vero Beach, FL

Robert Fetter passed away on July 15, 2018 at the age of 94 with his wife of 67 years, Audrey, by his side.

Bob was born in Berwyn, IL, and has lived in Vero Beach, FL for the past 22 years. He earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech, and both an MBA and DBA from Indiana University, and served in the Navy during WWII. He taught Operations Research for nearly 50 years, including 31 years at Yale University, from which he retired as the Harold H. Hines, Jr. Professor of Health Care Management. Bob was widely recognized for his contribution to conceiving, developing and implementing Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs), and in 1992 was awarded the Baxter Foundation Prize in Health Services Research for his work. He was the author of many publications, including the seminal textbook (with E. H. Bowman) in operations research.

Bob loved to ski, and spent many happy years on the slopes of Vermont, Colorado, Switzerland and France with his family. During a sabbatical year with the World Health Organization in Geneva, he developed a passion for wine, which he brought back to Yale, even adding a wine tasting seminar to his list of educational offerings. Family cruises became his favorite vacation in his later years, he enjoyed tennis and golf, and he played expert bridge until just weeks before his death.

Bob is survived by his wife of 67 years, Audrey Fetter (Lillard), his children Sarah Robinson of Boston, MA, Bob Fetter of Denver, CO and Martha Austin of Norwich, VT, and seven grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, gifts to Bob's memory can be made through the Virginia Tech Foundation to benefit his named scholarship in the Corps of Cadets. Please make checks payable to the Virginia Tech Foundation, in the memo line list the VTCCA Robert B. Fetter Scholarship and mail to Attn: Sandi Bliss, 902 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061.

There will be a celebration of his life Saturday, July 21 from 5-6pm at Oak Harbor Club in Vero Beach.

Arrangements are under the direction of Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach.

An online guestbook is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com