Bob “The Blond Bomber” Fenimore - Stillwater, Oklahoma - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

The final resting place of Bob "The Blond Bomber" Fenimore is at the southeast side of Fairlawn Cemetery, near the center of section 10A. He shares an upright, double headstone with his wife Veta Jo, and it is has the following inscription:

Fenimore
Veta Jo (Cullen)
September 13, 1925
August 28, 2021
Robert Dale (Bob)
October 6, 1925
July 28, 2010
Married June 22, 1947

Some information about The Blonde Bomber:

Robert Dale Fenimore (October 6, 1925 – July 28, 2010) known as the Blonde Bomber or Blonde Blizard was a halfback for the Oklahoma A&M football team from 1943 to 1946. Member of the 1945 National Championship Oklahoma A&M team. He was the first two-time All America selection from Oklahoma A&M and finished third in the Heisman voting in 1945, but still led the nation in rushing with 142 carries for 1,048 yards.

Bob Fenimore was born in Woodward, Oklahoma on October 6, 1925. As a youth, Fenimore was heavily involved with sports. His childhood home had a front yard that resembled a football field, sparking his early interest in the sport. Fenimore's interest in Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State University) started early as well, even though his childhood sweetheart and later wife, Veta Jo, attended the University of Oklahoma.

Fenimore began his attendance at Oklahoma A & M in 1943, working toward a degree in education.

As a player, he set many school records, including the career interception mark of 18 which still stands at Oklahoma State today. He was 195 pounds and could step the 100 yard dash in 9.7 compared with the world record at the time of 9.4. He led the nation in total offense in 1944 and in total offense and rushing in 1945 when he finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting behind Army's Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard. The Aggies were 8-1 in 1944 and 9-0 in 1945—the only unbeaten/untied season in Oklahoma A&M/State football history.

Due to injuries, Fenimore played sparingly in the 1946 season and despite the risk, the Chicago Bears made Fenimore the first pick overall in the 1947 NFL Draft. He would play only the 1947 season in Chicago appearing in 10 games.

In 1972 Fenimore was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. In 2007, Fenimore was inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame.

After his football career, Fenimore returned to Oklahoma and went to work for Massachusetts Mutual Life insurance Company in Oklahoma City. In 1953 Fenimore and his family returned to Stillwater and worked for Mass Mutual financial services until he retired. Fenimore died on July 28, 2010.

Source: wiki (visit link)

Description: Bob's obituary, which tells about his football notoriety: Robert Dale Fenimore, 84, died on July 28, 2010 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at the First Presbyterian Church in Stillwater with Dr. B. Gordon Edwards officiating. Strode Funeral home is in charge of arrangements. Bob was born in Woodward, Oklahoma, on October 6, 1925, the first child of Orris and Maude Fenimore. He attended Woodward Public Schools and graduated in 1947 from Oklahoma State University (then called Oklahoma A&M College) where he received a B.S. degree from the college of Education majoring in Social Studies. During his college career, Bob was Oklahoma A&M College’s first two-time All-American and played on both the winning 1945 Cotton Bowl and 1946 Sugar Bowl football teams. The Daily Oklahoman named him Player of the Year in 1944 and 1945. In 1947, he was selected as the first round choice in the NFL draft and was third in the Heisman Award. Following his graduation from Oklahoma A&M, Bob was drafted by the Chicago bears and played professional football one year. He then returned to Oklahoma and began his career with the Massachusetts Mutual Life insurance Company in Oklahoma City. In 1953, he and his family moved to Stillwater, where he worked as a district manager for the company until his retirement in 1985. During his 40 years with Mass Mutual, Bob was named a National Quality Award Winner for 17 years and a member of the Leaders Club for 15 years. He was a past president of the Northern Oklahoma Chapter of Chartered Life Underwriters (CLU). Bob’s football legacy at Oklahoma State University included his induction into the National Football College Hall of Fame, the Helms Football Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame, the OSU College of Education Hall of Honor, the OSU Track Hall of Honor, the OSU Distinguished Alumni Award, the OSU Track Hall of Honor as well as the OSU Foundation Board of Governors. Bob was actively involved in his church as well as his community. He served as an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater for four 3-year terms and Deacon for two 2-year terms. He served as President of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, President of the United Way and a member of the Stillwater Parks and Recreation Board of Directors. Bob was a lifetime member of the OSU Alumni Association and former vice-president of the Payne County Alumni Association. Bob clearly distinguished himself with his accomplishments and dedication to his college, work, church, community and family. He and Veta Jo, his wife of 63 years, made their home in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for the past 50 years. Survivors include their two daughters, Elizabeth Ann Atess and her husband, Robert Dale, and Jo Ellen Jones, all of Stillwater. Also surviving are his three grandchildren, Kathryn Jones McNeill and her husband, Ryan, if Dallas, TX; Sarah Atess of Cincinnati, OH; and David Atess of Stillwater; his brother, Harry Fenimore, of Stillwater; and his sister, Shirleinne Jennings and her husband, Bud, of Woodward, OK. Bob is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made in Bob’s name to First Presbyterian Church, 524 S. Duncan, Stillwater, OK 74074; Judith Karman Hospice, P.O. Box 818, Stillwater, OK 74076; Oklahoma State University School of Education or Iba-Fenimore Society of Oklahoma State University c/o the OSU Foundation, P.O. Box 1749, Stillwater, OK 74076 source: Strode Funeral Home https://strodefh.com/book-of-memories/1390832/fenimore-robert/obituary.php Date of birth: 10/06/1925 Date of death: 07/28/2010 Area of notoriety: Sports Marker Type: Headstone Setting: Outdoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Dawn to Dusk Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link]

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