Robert C. Fortenberry

FORTENBERRY Robert C. Fortenberry MD, aged 82, of Diamondhead MS, died at Gulfport Memorial Hospital on February 14,2013 of natural causes. Robert was born on October 13, 1930 in Bismarck, ND to the late John Foxworth Fortenberry and Blanche Schmitz Fortenberry. The family moved to Long Beach, MS in 1936 and then to New Orleans in 1946. He attended Holy Cross High School, Loyola University, and LSU School of Medicine, graduating in 1955. In New Orleans Robert met the love of his life, Dolores Sigur. They were married on June 11,1955 and had 6 children. Robert served as a physician in the USAF and then began a career in radiology at Hotel Dieu Hospital in New Orleans. In 1968 he became the director of radiology at the newly constructed Methodist Hospital in New Orleans. He retired in 1999 from his position at Methodist Hospital. He was active in Rotary International and had many pursuits including golf, hunting, fishing, swimming and outdoor cooking. Robert is survived by Dolores, his wife of 57 years; children Linda (Chip) Garrard of Montgomery AL, Karen (Steve) Simone of Metairie LA, David (Alice) Fortenberry of Kalispell MT, Leslie (William) Drewery of Franklin TN, Stephen Fortenberry of Diamondhead MS, and Dianne (Michael) Happel of Metairie LA; siblings John Fortenberry, Rev Jerome Fortenberry, Dorothy Smoloski, and Elizabeth (George) McGahran; grandchildren Jennifer Woods, Matthew (Charlotte) Garrard, Caroline Woods, Ansley Garrard, Robert Fortenberry, Miles Fortenberry, Arden Fortenberry, Nelson Fortenberry, Claire Happel, Wes Drewery, Grey Drewery, Grant Happel, and Peter Happel; and great grandchild Matthew Garrard; numerous nephews, nieces, and friends, including best friend Skipper. Robert was preceded in death by parents John and Blanche Fortenberry and siblings Mary Drose, Virginia Fortenberry, Jacqueline Fortenberry, and Louis Fortenberry. Funeral services will be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124 on Monday, February 18th with visitation at 1pm and Funeral Mass at 3pm. Interment at All Saints Mausoleum in Metairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Annunciation Catholic Church Building Fund, 5370 Kiln-Delisle Road, Kiln MS, 39556. Please visit and sign the family guestbook at www.lakelawnmetairie.