Missing My Dad

This is one of those days when I'm missing my father. Forty-seven (47) years ago today dad and I took our soap box racer to the Peterborough Soap Box Derby which was held on Labor Day every year. We had just built a state-of-the-art car and I won the Senior Championship that afternoon. I still have a picture somewhere of the memorable event.

I often go to a web site for the Jefferson County Community College in Watertown, New York and read about the scholarship that was named in dad's honor.

Even though the Fishercast plant in Watertown had to close, here's what was written a number of years ago concerning dad:

The Chester W. Fisher Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship, created by the employees of Fisher Gage Inc.(now known as Fishercast), in Watertown, New York, was established to recognize a great leader.

Jim Fisher said his father 'was a man who cared about people, life, family and the church. To know him was to know a gentleman. His influence was deeply felt.'

This award, which was started in 1992, is given to a hard working, well-adjusted Jefferson Community College student in the second year of study. It is open to all students.

Chester W. Fisher was born in Birmingham, England, on May 5, 1922. A year later his family immigrated to Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.

Apprenticing as a tool and die maker, a tradition among the men of his family, he began work at Canadian General Electric in Peterborough. He worked for the company for many years and held several management positions. In 1955, Mr. Fisher and his brother, William F. Fisher, formed a partnership, establishing Fisher Gauge Limited in Peterborough, Canada. (Note: My uncle Bill acutally founded the company in 1942 and dad joined him in 1955)

As both a shareholder and senior executive of the company, he was engaged in establishing the Watertown, New York, branch in 1964. Subsequently, his involvement in creating Fishercast in Watertown made the company a leading manufacturer of a small precise zinc alloy die casting in the United States.

During his many trips to Watertown from Peterborough over the years, he started a special relationship with his Watertown employees. To them, he was more than an executive of Fishercast, he was a friend.

Just as his Watertown employees respected him, so did his Canadian employees. His Canadian secretary Lynda Whitney said, 'Whenever I'd introduce Ches as my boss or supervisor, in his quiet manner he'd say, I am Lynda's co-worker.' Chairman Todd Wilcox added this: 'It has been my privilege to observe this high-principled man, a model for all who aspire to further the happiness and well being of others.'

Mr. Fisher's humanitarianism extended to friends and strangers. The list of organizations he served is extensive and includes church and missions, businesses, social service agencies, and educational, environmental and arts councils.

Chester W. Fisher died May 15, 1992.