Robert “Bob” L. Benner, 80, of Fullerton, died March 30, 2016, at his home. He was the husband of the late Geraldine A. (Arnold) Benner for 53 years.

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 family owned and operated Benner’s Market, Fullerton, for more than 32 years and continued as Benner’s Catering until recently. He joined Whitehall Township Fire Department in 1967, became fire marshal in 1975 and was the chief since January 1986. He was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Fullerton.

He was a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators, the National Fire Protection Association, the International Fire Chiefs Association, LESTA-Lehigh and Northampton County Fire Investigation Training Association Inc. and was a past president of the Lehigh County Fire Chiefs Association.

He was a past president of the former Whitehall Exchange Club and received the club’s 1987 Citizen of the Year award.

He is survived by two daughters, Cynthia R. and her companion Teresa Murray of Whitehall and Barbara A. and her husband Rex McConaughey of Coplay; four grandchildren, Justin Benner and his girlfriend Alyssia Besse, Branthon McConaughey and his girlfriend Morgan Wotring, Stacy and her husband George Flaherty and Tracy and her husband Bob Kneller; and six great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by an infant son, Robert, at the time of his birth.

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

Arrangements were made by Gilbert Funeral Home Inc., Whitehall.