Robert Alvin Fairbanks Ii

Robert (Rob) Alvin Fairbanks II (Ojibwe: Oskinaway), 52, passed away after an extended illness on November 5, 2022 at his home, surrounded by family and friends. Rob was born at South Community Hospital in Oklahoma City on October 25, 1970 to Robert and Linda (Geer) Fairbanks. He had two older sisters and three younger brothers. Rob was a theater operator at the Oklahoma Memorial Union of The University of Oklahoma, where he worked for nearly 30 years.

Rob loved movies and devoted much of his time to all things cinema. Rob studied film in college, operated a theater, and sponsored various film and fencing clubs at OU. He enjoyed trivia, playing Dungeons and Dragons, as well as watching and discussing films and retro-television series with his siblings and extended family. His knowledge of movie history and trivia was unmatched: he could easily recall the year any movie was released, who directed it, and who acted in it. He amassed an enormous collection of films, movies, and movie memorabilia, particularly related to his favorite movie, Labyrinth, as well as many classic and obscure films.

Rob graduated from Norman High School in 1988 and then attended St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee. He ultimately graduated from The University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies in 2016.

While at St. Gregory’s, he learned to fence épée from coach Mary Margaret “Ma” Fowler and became an accomplished United States Fencing Association-rated fencer. Rob won several gold medals at The Sooner State Games and was a multiple-time Oklahoma state fencing champion. He competed twice at the USA National Championships. He often reminded his siblings he had more gold medals and trophies than they did, which they had to unfortunately admit was the truth.

What will be missed most by all who knew Rob was his kindness, hilarious sense of humor, and unique wit. Rob had the ability to make people laugh so hard they would nearly pass out. He was known for playing elaborate pranks and for the ability to make up extravagant and outlandish stories that had just enough authenticity to them that one would have difficulty determining if they were true or not. He would frequently make his mother act in videos in which she would find herself in an absurd situation, which often included her being forced to admit Rob was her favorite child.

Rob had the unique ability to connect with all his siblings, and their various interests, despite the fact that their ages from youngest to oldest spanned over 18 years. Rob was also a friend to many, as evidenced by the large number of people who called him “my best friend.” He traveled extensively across the United States as well as abroad, including Europe, Japan, Honduras, Guatemala, and Iceland.

Rob is preceded in death by his father, Robert Fairbanks. He is survived by his mother, Linda Fairbanks and his five siblings, Chele Crosby and husband Durand, Kim Fairbanks, Mike Fairbanks and wife Marissa, Richard Fairbanks and wife Jessika, and Joe Fairbanks and wife Alex; nieces and nephews Carl Wienecke and wife Monica, Bailey (Fairbanks) Lewis and husband Llogan, Alex Crosby, Nicholas Crosby, Nathaniel Wilkins, Tyler Wilkins, Benjamin Fairbanks, Dahlia Fairbanks, Evelyn Fairbanks, Coco Wienecke, and many aunts, uncles and cousins and friends.