Roger Fisher

Roger Raymond Fisher, 84, passed away December 25, 2016 at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.

He was born in Grand Junction, Iowa on January 13, 1932 to Carl Raymond (CR) and Eunice (Rinker) Fisher. Roger grew up in Grand Junction, where he and his brother, Tom helped their Dad on the family farm. For a penny a cow the boys carried milk in milk cans to school for the daily lunch program. Roger was an athlete but often had to leave practice early to help on the farm. That didn’t stop him from being very active in his church, 4H, chorus, band, and anything else that needed a member. He always said in a small town you had to do everything even if you weren’t very good.

Roger was later united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Kathy Ferguson, to which three children were born. In 1955 Roger was honorably discharged from the army. He had served during the Korean War. From there he went back to farming until he was graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in agriculture. He quickly put that to work when he moved to Des Moines and became Director of the Iowa Development Commission working on such projects as the Iowa/Irish program. After a few years he moved on and with three partners formed Summit Commodity Brokerage Firm where he worked until nearly age 80.

Roger was an Elder in his church, participated in Varity Club of Iowa, was a Sigma Nu, a life member of the ISU Alumni Association, a model for a local agency, an avid sponsor of Heifer International and a 32nd Degree Mason and Shriner. He was an accomplished cook, an avid reader, played tennis and golf, loved to hike and walk, and traveled the world with his wife, Sharon visiting every biome they could in order to enhance her biology teaching. He maintained his interest in farming but by far his greatest love was fishing. His grandson, Joe always had to remind him to “throw the big ones back” because Roger didn’t want to clean the little ones.

He is survived by his wife and life partner of 37 years, Sharon and by four children: David (Tanya) Fisher of Osceola, Iowa, Lori (Rob) Turner and Jon Fisher of Bellingham, Wash. and Dawn (Michael) Kraljic of Olathe, Kan. Roger was blessed with eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren; his brother, Tom (Marcia) Fisher; his many nephews and niece; cousins and lots of friends.

In death Roger joined his mother and father to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

Anyone who knew Roger couldn’t help but like him. He was kind and funny with a strong sense of ethics and compassion, truly a man who loved people. Rather than sadness at his death he wanted to have his friends and family join together in a celebration of his life. This will be planned for the spring of 2017 and more information will follow later. Memorial contributions in Roger’s name may be given to Iowa Public Television or the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. The family would like to thank the health care staff (north 3rd floor) of Iowa Methodist Hospital. Words cannot express our appreciation for their kind and loving care.

Iles Funeral Home.