Upon graduation from Purdue in 1958, Richard C. Fenwick enrolled at Stanford University where he completed his MSEE and Professional Engineer degrees. Fenwick started his career with the Electromagnetic Systems Division of Collins Radio in Richardson, Texas, and remained with the company for ten years before co-founding Electrospace Systems, Inc. in 1970. Electrospace prospered as the producer of defense electronics including communications and control equipment, navigation systems and antennas. Chrysler purchased the company in 1987 and Fenwick remained with the company serving as vice president until his retirement in 1990.

Fenwick has published more than a dozen papers and holds numerous patents in the fields of radio propagation and antennas. Named a Purdue Distinguished Engineering Alumnus in 1987, he is a board member for On-Command Video and manager of the Dallas operations for that company.