Robert “Bob” Fehringer, Jr.

By Editor | May 1, 2026 |

Robert “Bob” Fehringer, Jr., age 76, TSgt, USAF (Retired), passed away April 24, 2026 at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, Ill.
Bob was born January 8, 1950, and raised on Chicago’s South Side. He married his high school sweetheart, Patricia, on April 18, 1970, at St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church in Chicago.
Bob enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1969 and pursued his passion for photojournalism. Over a 22-year career, he documented military history, people, and events across the globe, including coverage of the Saigon Baby Airlift and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam. He served as a motion picture cameraman, newspaper photographer, and photo editor, and was recognized among the best in his field, earning multiple Air Force Pictures of the Year awards, a Joint Service Commendation Medal, an Antarctic Expedition Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal, and numerous other military honors. He retired from the Air Force in 1991.
Retirement did not slow him down. Bob continued his career as a contract photojournalist for the Scott Air Force Base Command Post newspaper, and served as a contractor in the Public Affairs office of U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM). He also worked as a freelance photographer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Belleville News-Democrat, the Scott Flier, and other outlets. He was deeply respected by colleagues and took pride in mentoring young photographers.
Beyond his camera, Bob was a man of many talents and wide-ranging interests. He grew prized homegrown tomatoes, threw legendary Fourth of July fireworks parties, and played drums in several local bands — earning the nickname “Boom Boom.” He had a great sense of humor and a generous spirit.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Fehringer, Sr., and Violet (nee Mucenski) Fehringer. He is survived by his wife, Patricia L. Fehringer of Fairview Heights, Ill.; his daughter, Jessica A. Fehringer, and granddaughter, Andrea L. Fehringer-Waters, of Carrboro, N.C.; and his sister, Carrie, and brother, Mark, of Chicago, Ill.
Services will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026, at St. Clare Church, 1411 Cross St., Shiloh, Ill. Visitation will be from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., followed by a prayer service and military salute at 3:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bob’s name are suggested to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.t2t.org. Memories may be shared with the family at www.wfh-ofallon.com.
Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O’Fallon, is serving the family.