Robert David Rentschler, 71, of rural Columbia City, died at his home at 11:48 a.m. Monday, March 29, 2021.

He was born April 13, 1949, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a son of the late Clarence H. and Anna Mary (Pleus) Rentschler. He completed elementary school at Most Precious Blood Catholic School, Fort Wayne, and graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1967. He continued his education at IPFW, earning a Bachelor's in Education and a Master's of Education in School Counseling.

On August 14, 1971, he married Pamela L. Clary. They made their first home in Fort Wayne. In 2006, they moved to Whitley County near Arcola.

A career-long educator, he taught for the Diocese of Fort Wayne – South Bend for 20 years at the Fort Wayne schools. He then became a Guidance Counselor for New Prairie High School in New Carlyle for 19 years.

A family man, he enjoyed his children and then grandchildren, who became his joy attending their school and extracurricular activities. He liked to collect items of interest, including stamps, coins, and clocks. Interested in genealogy, he delighted in researching ancestry. He could often be found tinkering around his property, working with wood, building chicken coops, or other home improvement projects.

He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Arcola, and the Arcola Lions Club.

Surviving is his wife of 49 years, Pam; four daughters, Renee D. (Steven) Devine, Sarah E. Rentschler, Anna M. (Timothy) Knitter, and Katrina A. (Amos) Miller, all of Fort Wayne; 10 grandchildren, Isaac, Elliette, Zachary, Abbigail, Jacob, Hailey, Isabella, Hattie, Callista, and Agnes; and siblings Ron (Vivian) Rentschler, Deborah (James) Dietel, Colleen Muncey, Mary (Jeff) Byerley, Phillip (Barb) Rentschler all of Fort Wayne and James (Elaine) Rentschler of Columbia City.

Additionally, he was preceded in death by siblings Patricia Fisher, Janice Lynn, Thomas "Tommy Neal" Rentschler, brothers-in-law, James Fisher and Jess Muncey.

The funeral service is 11 a.m. Saturday with visitation one hour prior at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Arcola. Burial will be at the St. Patrick Cemetery. Visitation is 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, with a Rosary at 8 p.m.

Preferred memorials are to St. Patrick Catholic Church Arcola or the Arcola Lions Club.