Robert Eugene Fechner

1936 - 2025

Robert Eugene Fechner

February 17, 1936 - February 8, 2025

With profound sadness, the family of Robert E. Fechner announces his passing February 8, 2025, in Charlottesville, Virginia, just nine days short of his 89th birthday. He was born in 1936 in Hastings, Nebraska, to Albert and Bessie Fechner. After graduating from the University of Utah, he received his M.D. from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1960.

From 1965 until 1978 he was a surgical pathologist at Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas. During that time he rose to the rank of Professor of Pathology at Baylor College of Medicine and was the director of the Baylor Affiliated Hospitals Residency Program for 11 years. In 1978 he became the Director of Surgical Pathology for the University of Virginia Medical Center as well as the Williams Stamps Royster Professor of Pathology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He retired in 1999, and the Laboratory of Surgical Pathology was named after him in his honor.

Dr. Fechner was a member of many pathology organizations and a founding member of the Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathologists. He was a highly regarded lecturer and teacher at national and regional pathology meetings over a 33-year span. He published two books, over 100 scientific papers in medical journals, and several chapters in textbooks. He was on the editorial board of five medical journals. In 1999, in recognition of all of these professional activities, he received the lifetime Distinguished Pathology Educator Award from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

Robert was an extraordinary person with a wonderful sense of humor. He was generous with his love and time, and was instrumental in the success and growth of so many, both personally and professionally. He will be missed beyond measure by all who knew him.

He is survived by his loving wife Melanie, together for 31 years; two daughters, Cynthia Moser (Keith) and Elizabeth Fechner Levy (Benjamin); four grandchildren, Gray Moser, Lane Moser (Abbi), Meredith Levy Amin (Nisheel), and Al Levy; five great-grandchildren; three stepchildren, Christopher Keyser (Lori), Jeffrey Keyser, and Jennifer Keyser Salzman (Nick); four stepgrandsons, Michael Paul Atkins, Cameron Keyser, Bennett Keyser, and Miles Keyser; a nephew, Matt Fechner and a niece, Andrea Fechner.

He is predeceased by his parents, his brother Donald Fechner and Donald's wife Laurel, and by his first wife, Loretta Bohne Fechner.

The family wishes to acknowledge the loving care he received from the outstanding staff of Rosewood Village.

A private celebration of his life will be held at a later date.