Obituary: CDR Robert “Bob” S. Fant Jr. (Ret.)

 CDR Robert “Bob” S. Fant Jr. (Ret.) CLEMSON, SC – Cdr. Robert “Bob” S. Fant Jr., 87, US Navy Retired of Clemson, SC, died June 1, 2026. Born in Anderson, Bob was the son of the late Robert S. Fant and Jeanne Gandy Fant. Bob was a graduate of Anderson Boys High School. He was a distinguished Eagle Scout. Bob graduated from Clemson University with the class of 1960, where he majored in Forestry and was a football manager. After graduation, Bob was briefly employed by the US Forest Service in Wyoming, before entering the US Navy. His naval career included destroyer and aviation duty. In 1968, Lt. Fant was assigned to a fighter squadron aboard the USS America, which deployed to Vietnam. His plane was shot down, and he was held as a prisoner of war for nearly five years. Upon release in 1973, he married his fiancée Rebecca Otts of Virginia Beach, Va. Cdr. Fant then resumed his career in the Navy, retiring from active duty in 1980. He then became a survival training specialist for the Navy in Brunswick, Maine, drawing on his experiences, until 1998. At that time, he and Becky moved to Clemson, SC, where they enjoyed university events. With a lakeside cottage in Maine, Bob and Becky took advantage of the best of both worlds. In later years, they moved to Clemson Downs Retirement Community. Bob was a member of Fort Hill Presbyterian Church, The Clemson Alumni Assn., Tiger Letterwinners Assn., Assn. of Baptists for Scouting, and the Military Officers Assn. of America. Advertisement Bob is survived by his wife Becky; his children Chris Fant of Los Angeles, Calif., Emily Fant-Nelson of Topsham, Maine, David Fant of Nashville, Tenn.; and grandson Coan Fant-Nelson. The service will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Fort Hill Presbyterian Church. The family will speak with guests immediately following the service until 3:30 p.m. Condolences may be left for the family by visiting [http://WWW.MCDOUGALDFUNERALHOME.COM](http://WWW.MCDOUGALDFUNERALHOME.COM) In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to to: Advertisement Boy Scouts of America – Blue Ridge Council at [https://www.blueridgecouncil.org/donate/](https://www.blueridgecouncil.org/donate/) or to: Fort Hill Presbyterian Church at [https://forthillchurch.org/](https://forthillchurch.org/) or to: Brunswick Naval Aviation Museum at [https://bnamuseum.org/donate/](https://bnamuseum.org/donate/) Copy the Story Link