Robert "Bob" William Fischer

Robert William “Bob” Fischer of Cottage Grove, Minnesota died peacefully on Tuesday, August 6 at Evergreen Care Home in Minnetonka, Minnesota.While in hospice, his snarky and self-deprecating sense of humor would still sometimes break through. He had just passed the 90-year-old milestone. 

He was predeceased by his brothers Carl and Donnie and sister Audrey. Within his own family, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of nearly 64 years, Coralynn Jeanette (née Johnson), as well as eldest daughter Cyndy Freeman and youngest daughter Coralynn (Lynn) Fischer. He is survived by his youngest sister Ruth Henkel of Monroe, North Carolina, his son Shawn Fischer of Raleigh, North Carolina, daughter Laura Underdahl of South St. Paul, grandsons Thomas Freeman of St. Paul and Conrad Freeman of Powell,Tennessee, granddaughter Ella Fischer of Raleigh, and three great-grandchildren.

Bob was born in St. Louis, Missouri on April 8, 1934. He was the the third of five children born to parents Lydia (Klang) Fischer and Louis Fischer. After graduating from Lutheran High School in St.Louis, he attended Southeast Missouri State College in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, on a football scholarship. He helped pay for his education by attending Marine Corps Officer Candidate School during the summer. It was during his stint as a hard-working service station attendant that he met his future wife, when she and her high school friends jumped on the service bell to get his attention. He swatted her away with a broom, and the rest became history. During his junior season, his young wife went into labor while he was playing in a football game, earning his firstborn the nickname of his “Football Baby”. 

After graduation in 1956, he moved his family of three to Rolla, Missouri, where his family grew by one in the first month of his teaching and coaching career. They moved to Ironton, Missouri, and then to Jackson, Missouri, where his family of four children became complete. His desire to provide better for his family led him to complete a Masters Degree in Education at SEMO State, and then to accept the position of State Supervisor for Driver’s Education in Jefferson City, Missouri in 1970. Three years later, another opportunity opened in Minnesota, and he became the State Director of Pupil Transportation for the State of Minnesota, where he worked into his seventies. But Bob was much more than a great provider for his family through generations. He was also present for his kids and grandkids; countless family photos attest to his devotion to and love for them. 

In his days in Jackson, he was an avid member of the Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce). He was a passionate fisherman, often taking his family to the farm ponds at the invitation of his students. He was also a hunter, auto enthusiast (a Mazda devotee), and a relentless reader throughout his life. Once he moved to Minnesota, he also enjoyed other outdoor activities like camping, cross country skiing, and touring the North Shore of Lake Superior. He was also a skilled woodworker, enthusiastic vegetable gardener, and a frugal self-taught auto mechanic. He and Coralynn found great joy in raising Brittany Spaniels, and learned to be field trial judges together. In his later years and after the passing of his spouse, he lost touch with many of their mutual friends. But he will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by his remaining family and those whose lives he touched. 

We would be honored to have you attend the Celebration of Life for Bob Fischer at Lakeside Park , 95 Central Avenue, in Bayport, Minnesota 55003, on Saturday, October 26, from 10:00 am-1:00 pm, weather permitting. This is a beautiful park along the shore of the St.Croix River, where Bob liked to go fishing. The alternative site will be St. Croix United Church, 309 3rd Street, just a few blocks away. 

 After some words of remembrance from family and friends, and shared time between us, lunch will be provided either in the park pavilion or at the church. All are welcome to mingle further, to tour the historic area and the town of Stillwater, and perhaps continue over dinner. 

Please, if I can offer any support or help with reservations or transportation to and from the airport or hotels, other activities to do, special needs, ANYTHING, let me know. I will do my absolute best to help if I can! Please give me a tentative RSVP at smfischer1956@gmail.com

In lieu of flowers, a contribution to The Connect Center in Stillwater, Minnesota (https://theconnectcenter.org/) or the Minneapolis Chapter of Project Healing Waters (https://projecthealingwaters.org/about-us/) in Bob’s name would continue to contribute to the good he has done.