NAPPANEE - Robert L. Rensberger, 86, formerly of South Bend, died at 10:45 a.m. Sept. 6, 2007, at Bremen Healthcare, where he resided.
He was born March 7, 1921, in Nappanee, to Kenton and Alberta Janssen Rensberger. On Feb. 3, 1946, in Nappanee, he married Carolyn Gentzhorn, who survives.
He grew up in Nappanee, but lived in South Bend since 1952. He was a 1939 Nappanee High School, where he was the leading scorer in the Northern Indiana Conference. He received a scholarship to play at University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1943. He was an All-American selection on both the Helms Foundation and NEA teams. In 1963, he was named to the Indiana Silver Anniversary Team. He played one year of professional basketball with the Chicago Gears. He received his master's degree from Indiana University.
He retired in 1981 from South Bend Community School Corp., where he had taught for 29 years. He was an assistant basketball coach at South Bend Adams for 12 years, and in 1965 became LaSalle's first head basketball coach.
He was an Army veteran, serving in World War II in Europe - Normandy Northern France, The Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded the American Theater Ribbon, the EAME Theater Ribbon with five Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal World War II.
He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, South Bend; Notre Dame Monogram Club, Legends of Basketball - National Basketball Retired Players Association, and was inducted into the Elkhart County Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994.
Also surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Ronnie (Cindy) Walla, Flynn, Texas; two sons: Terry Rensberger, Lakeville; Jeff Rensberger, Mishawaka; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers and four sisters.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, with the Rev. Janet McFall-Brown officiating. Burial will be in South Union Cemetery, Nappanee.
Calling is from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
