Robert L. “Bob” Benner, 80, a lifelong resident of Fullerton, Whitehall Township, died peacefully March 30, 2016, at home, cared for by his loving and dedicated family.

Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Paul Benner and Isabel Schafer Givler.

He was raised by his grandmother, the late Elsie Schafer.

He and his wife Geraldine A. (Arnold) Benner were married 53 years at the time of her death on Feb. 4, 2010.

He was a member of St. John’s UCC, Fullerton.

He and his family operated Benner’s Market, Fullerton, for more than 32 years, and continued as Benner’s Catering until recently.

He dedicated his life as fire chief of Whitehall Township from January 1986 until the present.

He joined the department in 1967, and became fire marshal in 1975.

A member of the International Association of Arson Investigators, NFPA, the International Fire Chiefs Association and LESTA, he was past president of the Lehigh County Fire Chiefs Association.

A past board member of the former Whitehall Exchange Club, he received the Whitehall Lions Club Citizen of the Year in 1987.

In 1968, he was honored by the Lehigh Valley Motor Club for his heroic actions in steering a tour bus enroute to Atlantic City to safety after the driver was stricken at the wheel.

His survivors include daughters Cynthia R. Benner and her longtime companion, Teresa Murray, of Whitehall, and Barbara A. McConaughey and her husband, Rex, of Coplay; grandchildren Justin Benner and his girlfriend, Alyssia Besse, Branthon McConaughey and his girlfriend, Morgan Wotring, Stacy Flaherty and her husband, George, Tracy Kneller and her husband, Bob; and six great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by infant son, Robert, at birth.

Contributions may be made to the Robert L. Benner Fire Training Grounds, 3219 MacArthur Road, Whitehall, PA 18052 or to the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, 3939 Broadway, Allentown, PA 18104.

Arrangements were made by Gilbert Funeral Home, Whitehall.