Robert Patton Fanning, 61, of Morgantown, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, in the arms of his wife, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Born in Welch (McDowell County), on Jan. 20, 1959, he was adopted at birth by Robert Anthony “Bob” and Betty Jean Fanning. After graduating from Welch High School in 1977, he moved to Morgantown where he attended WVU, worked and raised his family.
Robert completed undergraduate and graduate degrees in English and was proud to be the first male to receive a graduate certificate in women’s studies from WVU. He was an avid chess, tennis and racquetball player. He had a passion for music, books and literature and guided many students in their academic studies while teaching at WVU. His specialty was deconstructionism or the philosophical theory of literature. He had several publications of poetry and prose under various pen names. Rob was also very active in the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) where he will be remembered as “Admiral Morgan Holte,” a retired Aethelmearc rapier fighter, who possessed remarkable fencing skills despite his lack of depth perception.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, Cornelius and Mary Friel, all of Welch. On May 10, 1986, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Cornelia (Friel) Fanning, who survives. In addition to his wife, he is survived by their three children, Mason Cornelius Fanning, of Morgantown, Kyle Alexander Fanning, of Shepherdstown, and Helen Rebecca Fanning, of Eugene, Ore.; sister, Patricia Ann Fanning (Fred) Renko, niece, Robbi Michelle Renko, and great-nephew, Josiah P. Harrison, of Welch; and many special aunts, uncles, cousins, colleagues and friends.
The family would like to thank the expert providers, nurses, and staff at WVU Medicine for the exceptional care they provided Robert during this recent illness as well as other health concerns over the years.
In keeping with his wishes, cremation and private family celebrations of life at later dates have been entrusted to Fanning Funeral Home in Welch. If you so desire, Rob has requested donations in his memory to a Humane Society of your choice; McDowell County Public Library (90 Howard St., Welch, WV 24801); WVU English Department (P.O. Box 6296, WVU, Morgantown, WV 26506); WVU Children’s Hospital (One Medical Center Drive, Box 8200, Morgantown, WV 26506); or St. John University Parish (1481 University Avenue, Morgantown, WV 26505).
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