Richard Harding Fisher

Richard Harding Fisher, Sr. went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 16, 2015. He was deeply loved by his family who have been blessed with many wonderful life lessons from his 91 years. The many family birthday and Christmas celebrations, family vacation adventures, Friday night Family nights at the YMCA, weekends at the lake, Sundays at Calvary Baptist Church in Roanoke, and enthusiastic instructions in sports are all memories that will be cherished forever. Dr. Fisher, a true born and bred Salemite, was born on November 17, 1923 in Salem, Virginia to Lawrence Daniel and Mary Magdalene (Maggie) Akers Fisher. He graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in 1941 where he received the Outstanding Student award. He excelled in football and earned a football scholarship to University of Richmond where he was named to the All Southern Conference team. He loved his years playing football as a Richmond Spider. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia in 1947. While in Richmond, he met his future wife Anne Katherine Fletcher. He proudly served his country in the Air Force and Navy. He then moved his family to Roanoke, Virginia where he practiced orthopedic surgery for 34 years at Lewis-Gale Hospital in Roanoke. He and fellow physician Warren Moorman were instrumental in bringing Lewis-Gale Hospital to Salem in 1973. During this time Dr. Fisher was at the forefront of joint replacement surgery in the Roanoke Valley. He also had several articles published in medical journals. Dr. Fisher loved sports, particularly football, and enjoyed many years on the sidelines as team physician for Patrick Henry, Andrew Lewis, and Salem High Schools. He also embraced the game of ice hockey and became team physician to the Salem Rebels for many years. Dr. Fisher eagerly followed his children and grandchildren in sports, especially football, baseball, soccer, and lacrosse. Some of his proudest achievements include: founding the Salem Educational Foundation in 1983 which has awarded over $2 million in scholarships to Salem High School graduates and was president for its first 17 years, in 1981 he was instrumental in establishing Life Guard 10, a hospital based air ambulance service, was a founding member and first president of the Lewis-Gale Medical Foundation, served on the City of Salem School Board from 1974-1985 and was Chairman when Salem decided to become an independent school system in 1983, and was president of the international Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons from 1974-1975. Dr. Fisher received many awards during his lifetime. Some of the more notable are: in 1972 was named Father of the Year for youth leadership by the Roanoke Times newspaper, was named Citizen of the Year in 1980 by both the Rotary Club of Salem and the Salem/Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce, in 1985 the City of Salem passed a resolution recognizing him for his contributions to Salem, in 1996 he was a charter member of the Salem Alumni Hall of Fame, he received the James Simpson Award from the Salem Historical Society in 2001, and in 2006 was presented the Charles Brown Award by Roanoke College. In 1972 he was humbled to perform corrective surgery on Justus Richa, a young man from Africa who had never walked due to severe crippling of clubfeet. Dr. Fisher brought Justus to his home to recover and quickly became part of the family. Upon his return to Africa, Justus and Dr. Fisher kept in touch for many years. Dr. Fisher was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Anne Katherine Fletcher Fisher; and by his five brothers, Charles Hap Fisher, Herman Fisher, Leroy Fisher, Lawrence Fisher, Jr., and Robert Fisher. He is survived by his current wife of 10 years, Helen Patricia Smith Fisher of Seattle, Wa.; one sister, Helen Rowell Miller of Montgomery, Al.; brother-in-law, Richard Glover of Orange, Va.; six children: daughter, Anne F. Andrews of Salem, Va., son, Richard H. Fisher, Jr. of Salem, Va., daughter, Gwynn F. Derrick and husband, Don, of Boones Mill, Va., son, Robert W. Fisher and wife, Betti, of Salem, Va., son, James D. Fisher and wife, Judy, of Salem, Va., and daughter, Amy F. Miles of Salem, Va.; 15 grandchildren, Corey Andrews, John Andrews and wife, Catherine, Paul Andrews, Tim Andrews, Matt Franklin, Kevin Franklin and wife, Britney, Kimberly Franklin, Evan Fisher, Seth Fisher, Chris Fisher, Will Fisher, Chad Fisher, James Miles, Samuel Miles, and Thomas Miles; step-granddaughter, Erinn Nelson; five great-grandchildren, Aidan, Tate and Mary Cate Andrews, and Ruby and Vivian Franklin; and many special nieces and nephews. The family expresses their thanks and appreciation to staff at Salem Terrace, care givers from Visiting Angels, and Friendship Home Health Services. Also, many thanks to Gentle Shepherd Hospice for their outstanding and compassionate care. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at the John M. Oakey & Son Chapel in Salem. There will be a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Salem Educational Foundation, Kennedys Disease Association, or Camp Easter Seal. Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com. It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived. - George PattonFirst Visitation

Wednesday, August 19th, 2015 2:00pm - 4:00pm,

John M Oakey & Son Chapel

305 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, Virginia 24153

Second Visitation

Wednesday, August 19th, 2015 6:00pm - 8:00pm,

John M Oakey & Son Chapel

305 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, Virginia 24153