Bob Feeney

Bob Joseph Feeney, 73, passed away peacefully at his home in Bismarck surrounded by family on July 30, 2012. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Friday, August 3, at Church of Corpus Christi, Bismarck, with Rev. Jim Braaten officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 6:15 pm - 7:00 pm Thursday, August 2, at Church of Corpus Christi, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Bob Joseph Feeney was born in Crosby, ND, on January 26, 1939, to Thomas and Marie Poirier Feeney. He graduated from Crosby High School . He then attended Wahpeton Science and later graduated from Dickinson State University where he was an All-Conference football player and baseball player. Fifty years ago he married his "Sweetie Pie", Janice Knoll Feeney. He started his passion of 36 years of teaching and coaching at Cando High School where his teams won 30 straight games from 1967-1969. There were also four conference championships during his tenure at Cando. He then moved on to Dickinson Trinity where his team won the WDA Championship and were State Runners-Up in 1972. In 1974, Bob brought his talents to Bismarck High. There he produced 19 playoff teams, two State Championships 1984-1985, 12 WDA titles and a 21 WDA game winning streak. Coach Feeney's overall football coaching record stands at 243 victories. Many honors have come to Coach Feeney including the ND Coach of the Year in 1972, 1974, and 1997. He was nominated for the National Coach of the Year in 1987 and again in 1990. That year, Coach Feeney was inducted into the N.D.H.S. Coaches Hall of Fame. He received a once in a lifetime Special Achievement honor from the Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association in 2003. He also coached in many all-star games including the inaugural Badlands Bowl and many Shrine football games. All victories and accolades aside, Coach Feeney stressed life lessons such as hard work, dedication, team work, and preparation, which he lived every day of his life. If it wasn't done right, Coach Feeney would say, "Run it again!" His integrity and honesty influenced many young men throughout his career and he always enjoyed hearing about their successes later in life. Upon his retirement in 1999, Bob's coaching duties went from the sidelines to the stands where he became a mentor and fan to his sons and grandchildren. When it came to his 13 grandchildren and all of their activities, there wasn't a prouder Papa than Bob. He also felt so fortunate to be able to travel to beautiful destinations with his family. He enjoyed his time "shooting the bull" with his coffee group. His loyalty and love for God, family, and football were matched by few. Coach Feeney's legacy is too hard to express with words, but it is shown through his children, grandchildren, and student-athletes. He is survived by his wife, Janice Knoll Feeney; son, Mark, Fargo; daughter, Kelli Marc Lofgren, Salt Lake City; son, Stephen Wendy, Bismarck; daughter, AnneMarie Blaine Gilbertson, Bismarck; daughter, Krista Todd Wetsch, Bismarck; son, Kevin Jamie, Fargo; 13 grandchildren, MacKayla Feeney, Dominic Gilbertson, Kellen Feeney, Tayte Pollmann, Dalton Feeney, Paige Feeney, Braden Gilbertson, Cade Feeney, Macy Wetsch, Trey Feeney, Halle Wetsch, Ellie Feeney, Jett Feeney; three sisters, Georgetta Andy Bakke, Margaret Bakke, Barbara Larry Chapman; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Phillip and Stephanie Knoll; brother-in-law, Edward Bakke. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Alzheimer's Association or God's Child Project.

Bob Feeney

January 26, 1939 - July 30, 2012