Bob Fathauer

Robert “Bob” Lee Fathauer, 78, of Emerald Isle, North Carolina, passed away on May 4, 2026, in Beaufort, North Carolina.

Born on December 25, 1947, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Mary Walker Fathauer and Jack E. Fathauer, Bob grew up in Chardon, Ohio, and graduated from West Geauga High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, then attended Elon College before earning a BA in History from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Bob spent several adventurous years living in New South Wales, Australia, where he worked on Merino sheep stations. His oldest two children, Rachel and Bill, were born there. After returning to the United States, he lived in Cary, North Carolina, and Blacksburg, Virginia, before settling in Emerald Isle for the last 20 years of his life.

Easygoing and quick with a one-liner, Bob always had a story to tell. He loved painting, fishing, traveling, and sharing a beer with friends at The Growler.

Predeceased by his parents, Mary Walker Fathauer and Jack E. Fathauer, and his brother, Jim Fathauer, Bob is survived by his three children: Rachel Leigh Belcher (Andy) of Cary, North Carolina; William Robert Fathauer of Oxford, North Carolina; and Meredith Peace Carlstrom (Daren) of Alexandria, Virginia; along with his two grandsons, Andrew Belcher and Jack Belcher, and a third grandson due in July.

He is also survived by his sister, Nancy Astill (Luke), and his nieces and nephew, Kate Astill, Bridget Callaghan (Jordan), and Ben Astill, all of New South Wales, Australia, along with many dear friends and extended family members.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Carteret County Humane Society, 853 Hibbs Road, Newport, NC 28570, in memory of Bob and his beloved dog, Sadie.

Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noebrooks.net

Arrangements by Noe-Brooks Funeral Home & Crematory of Morehead City, NC.