More detail on this person: David Lee
Fenstermacher, beloved husband of Sandra Ross
Fenstermacher, entered into rest May 21, 2013 at
Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home. Funeral
services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May
24, at the Church of the Good Shepherd with the
Very Rev. Robert D. Fain officiating. The family
will receive friends following the service in the
Parish Hall. David was born January 29, 1944 in
Vicksburg, Miss., the son of Dr. Richard Henry
Fenstermacher and Kathleen McCullough
Fenstermacher. He earned a B.S. degree in biology
from the University of Mississippi, where he was a
member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and became a
devoted fan of Ole Miss football. Having earned
his private pilot's license while in college,
David chose to serve his country by joining the
U.S. Army during the buildup of the Vietnam War,
and served with the First Air Cavalry as a Medical
Service Corps helicopter pilot, flying wounded
soldiers from the battle zone to hospital ships
off the coast. In April of 1968 his helicopter
came under fire on a medevac mission, and he was
wounded. After medical evacuation to Japan and
several surgeries, he spent long months recovering
at Fort Gordon. He later was cross-trained in the
CH-47 Chinook twin-rotor helicopter and flew
medical coverage for the flight school at Mineral
Wells, Texas. His medals included the Purple
Heart, and he was medically retired at the rank of
captain. Following his military service, David
earned an M.B.A. degree in management from the
University of Mississippi and later a master's
degree in health administration from Georgia State
University. He and his family then returned to
Augusta where he served more than 25 years in
hospital administration at University Hospital. He
was a member of the American Academy of
Hospital Administrators. In addition to his wife,
survivors include three children: David Lee
Fenstermacher, Jr. of Atlanta, Kathleen
Fenstermacher Roche (Sean Michael Roche) of
Houston, Texas; and Thomas Trotter
Fenstermacher (Megan Harris Fenstermacher) of
Charlotte, N.C.; nine grandchildren: David Lee
Fenstermacher III, William Redmond
Fenstermacher, Henry Francis Roche, Lucy
Katherine Roche, Anne Ross Roche, May Barrett
Roche, Evelyn Grace Fenstermacher, Jackson
Harris Fenstermacher and Charlie Alexander
Fenstermacher; two stepsisters: Nancy L. Shaw
(Terry Shaw) of Ackworth, Ga., and Mary Ann
McMullen (Albert McMullen) of Hattiesburg, Miss.;
a niece, Melissa Ragan Lessley (Johnny Lessley)
of Memphis, Tenn.; and nephew Richard
Fenstermacher Ragan (Marsella) of Tanzania. He
was predeceased by his brother, Richard Henry
Fenstermacher, Jr. David was a longtime member of
the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, where
he served on the vestry and was treasurer for many
years. He was a member of the Exchange Club of
Augusta and the Augusta Country Club. He was a
history buff and supporter of Historic Augusta and
the Augusta Richmond County Historical Society.
He loved spending time outdoors. His idea of a
perfect day would be to load the family into the
old green jeep and spend the afternoon canoeing,
followed by an evening of barbecue, beer and
classic blues music. Friends will remember his dry
wit, easy laugh, and genuine, kind and
compassionate nature. If so desired, memorials
may be made to the Church of the Good Shepherd,
2230Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904; the CSRA
Parkinson Support Group, c/o Treasurer, 116 Lottie
Lane, Grovetown, GA 30813; or the Georgia War
Veterans Nursing Home, 1101 15th Street,
Augusta, GA 30901.
Published in The Augusta Chronicle from May 22 to
May 23, 2013
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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