Robert Fatherley

Robert Fatherley, age 49, of Columbia, Missouri, passed away on August 7, 2021, at his home after sustaining injuries from a motorcycle accident." He was born on September 10, 1971, at the Baptist Hospital in Miami, Florida, the son of Richard Ward Fatherley and Judith R. Neibarger and step-dad John "Gene" Neibarger. The family moved from Florida to Tonganoxie, Kan. He attended school in Tonganoxie where he was Homecoming King, then graduated from Central Methodist College in Fayette, Mo. with a B.S. in Education, where again he was named Homecoming King. He received his Masters in Education from Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Mo. Rob worked as a beloved teacher and coach in several school districts including Grandview, Mo., Camdenton, Mo., and with most years in Jefferson City, Mo. He was nominated for Teacher of the Year many times. He was united in marriage to Susan (Pennington) Starr on January 1, 2019, in Warrensburg, Mo. He retired from teaching and began a short career working at Menards, where he loved going in and helping people. He was nationally recognized by Menards and awarded Service Hero for making a special needs boy feel important. He was interested in live music, playing the drums, riding motorcycles, watching Chiefs, Mizzou, and high school football, the band Rush, specifically drummer Neal Peart, coaching football and wrestling, and staying busy with any task he could find. As many know, he loved making his daily schedule, or in his words, "Plan the work, then work the plan". As a child, he had the nickname "White Lightning" which was still fitting as an adult as he lived life with great force. He loved singing, dancing, and breaking out an impromptu rap to make people smile. He mostly loved being a husband to his soulmate and best friend, Sue, and being a father to his four children. Rob is survived by wife, Susan Fatherley; won, Sam Fatherley and daughter, Layne Fatherley (from previous marriage to Brandi Glawson-Benz); step-daughter, Josie Starr; and step-son Jenson Starr; Mother, Judith R. Neibarger; brothers, Doug (wife Jodi), Charlie (wife Jennifer), William, and Richard; sisters, Carol McDaniel (husband CJ McDaniel) and Kathryn Fatherley; in-laws Paul and Sharon Pennington; and several nieces and nephews. Robert was preceded in death by his father Richard W. Fatherley; step-father John "Gene" Neibarger; grandparents, Robert E. and Emeline W. Fatherley, and Eugene Carroll Reed and Edna J. Russell Reed. Visitation for friends and family will be from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Parker-Millard Funeral Chapel in Columbia on Sunday, August 15, 2021, with Funeral Services to follow there at 2:00 p.m. Reception will be at 4:00, at Cambridge Place Clubhouse, 1925 Scarborough Dr, Columbia, MO 65201. The service will also be live streamed at millardfamilychapels.com. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family of Robert Fatherley, 1924 Scarborough Drive, Columbia, MO 65201, and to Judith R. Neibarger, 1208 Remington Circle, Clinton, MO 64735. Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Millard Funeral Service, 12 East Ash Street, Columbia, MO, 65203, (573) 449-4153. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.parkermillard.com.