Robert Henry Francis Fastenau passed away on November 26, 2024, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, which gave him the determination and courage to fight a three-year battle with cancer and live that time to the fullest.

Bob was born in New York, New York and grew up in Queens. He graduated from St. John’s University in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and earned a master’s degree in organic chemistry from University of Connecticut in 1963. He was inducted into Phi Lambda Upsilon, the national chemical honor society, in 1961 and Sigma Xi, the scientific research honor society, in 1963. Upon graduation, Bob excelled in a 40-year career with the DuPont Company as a chemist and senior research associate, where he was granted two U.S. patents for his work before retiring to Raleigh.

Bob is fondly remembered for his reserved nature yet quick sense of humor, generosity, and loyalty to his family, along with legendary spaghetti sauce and steak seasoning secrets. He dearly loved traveling, especially cruising, and saw much of the world. He was a college basketball fan, enjoyed theater, and delighted in annual family beach and mountain trips.

Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, Samantha Cable Fastenau, whom he married in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1964; his four daughters, Mary-Robin Elizabeth Fastenau (Jon Boisvert), Patricia Margaret Fastenau Young, Anna Catherine Fastenau Davis (Charles Davis), and Judith Michelle Fastenau Freeman (Joel Freeman); his sister, Patricia Ann Fastenau; and seven grandchildren that include Robert Glenn Young, Mary Margaret Young, Charles Arthur Davis (Paige Crawford Davis), Samuel Cole Davis, Elizabeth Miller Freeman, Clara-Scott Pressley Freeman Galligan (Thomas “Tre” Galligan III), and Samuel Stormer Freeman.

He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Edward Fastenau, and mother, Elizabeth Docar Fastenau, both of New York.

A Mass celebrating Bob’s life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, in the St. Mary of the Angels Chapel at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church at 11401 Leesville Road, Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, Bob’s family requests that donations be made to Transitions LifeCare (Hospice Home) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The Fastenau family extends their deep gratitude to Dr. Xiang Sean Wang and nurses at Duke Cancer Center – Cary and the nurses and volunteers at Transitions LifeCare for their expertise and support across the last three years and Bob’s final days.