Submitted by: Dan Rich
Robert L. Rensberger
March 7, 1921 - Sept. 6, 2007
South Bend Tribune 9/8/2007
SOUTH BEND - Robert L. Rensberger, 86, formerly of South
Bend, died Thursday Sept. 6, at 10:45 in the morning in Bremen
Health Care, Bremen, IN, where he had lived for three months. Mr.
Rensberger was born in Nappanee, IN, on March 7, 1921, to Kenton
and Alberta (Janssen) Rensberger. They both preceded him
in death. Mr. Rensberger graduated from Nappanee High School in
1939, where he starred in basketball. He was the leading scorer
in the Northern Indiana Conference while at Nappanee High School
and earned a scholarship to play basketball at the University of
Notre Dame. While at Notre Dame he was an All-American selection
on The Helms Foundation and NEA Teams. He played one year
professional basketball for the Chicago Gears, where he played
alongside NBA great George Mikan. In 1963, he was named to the
Indiana Basketball Silver Anniversary Team and was inducted into
the Elkhart County Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. He also was a
member of the National Basketball Retired Players Association
Legends of Basketball. After graduating from the University of
Notre Dame, Mr. Rensberger went on to get his Masters Degree from
Indiana University.
Mr. Rensberger taught in the South Bend
School Corporation for 29 years, retiring in 1981. He spent one
year at Jefferson High School before becoming and assistant
basketball coach at Adams High School, where he taught and
coached for 12 years. Then, in 1965, he became the first
basketball coach in the history of LaSalle High School, where in
five years, he compiled a 62-44 record and won the 1970 Sectional
Championship. Mr. Rensberger was a World War II Army veteran,
where he served in Normandy, Northern France, The Ardennes,
Rhineland, and Central Europe. He was awarded the American
Theater Ribbon, the EAME Theatre Ribbon with five Bronze stars,
the Good Conduct Medal and the WWII Victory medal for his service
to our nation. Mr. Rensberger was a member of Grace United
Methodist Church in South Bend and the Notre Dame Monogram Club.
Mr. Rensberger spent his leisure time playing golf and enjoying
his grandchildren.
Mr. Rensberger is survived by his wife,
Carolyn Rensberger of South Bend; two sons, Terry (and wife,
Sharon) Rensberger of Lakeville, IN and Jeff (and wife, Nancy)
Rensberger of Mishawaka; daughter, Cindy (and husband, Ronnie) Walla
of Flynn, TX; six grandchildren, David Rensberger of Boston, MA,
Scott Rensberger of Lakeville, IN, Katherine and Kelsey
Rensberger, both of Mishawaka, Kara (and husband, Tony) Young
of Houston, TX and Michael Fischer also of Houston, TX. He
was preceded in death by four brothers, Kenneth, Ralph, Donald
and Marion Rensberger; and by four sisters, Isabelle Wise,
Ruth Haura, Jean Deisch and Jody Keyser.
Friends may call in the Thompson-Lengacher
& Yoder Funeral Home, 950 N. Main St., Nappanee, IN on
Sunday, September 9 from 1 to 3 p.m., with funeral services
Sunday at 3 p.m. also at the funeral home. The Rev. Janet
McFall-Brown will officiate. Graveside services will follow the
funeral at South Union Cemetery, Nappanee. Memorial contributions
may be made to the American Cancer Society in Mr. Rensberger's
name. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.