Obituaries

Robert P. Fischer

September 01, 2014

Robert P. Fischer, husband, father, grandfather, scientist, and Catholic died on Labor Day, 2014 surrounded by the loving family that he guided during his 81 years of life.

Proudly hailing from Columbia, PA “Bob” was born to the late Francis and Agnes Kaufhold Fischer. Bob’s wife and best friend of 48 years, Carole A. (Lumbard) Fischer passed away in 2006 in his loving care. As the center of his life, much of Bob went with Carole when she passed away 8 years ago. But his 7 children and 23 grandchildren, deep religious faith, many friends, and love of Notre Dame Football helped him survive her departure.

As smart as he was modest, only those closest to him knew of his extraordinary ability to solve any problem regardless of complexity. A 1951 graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School, Bob completed his bachelor’s degree at Franklin & Marshall College, Master’s Degree at Carnegie Mellon University and additional post graduate work at Purdue University. He left just prior to finishing his PhD to work for NASA in Washington DC developing solid rocket propellant for the war effort. After 4 years, he moved back to Pennsylvania where he settled for the next 54 years in Manor Township, Lancaster, PA. He was a polymer research chemist for a division of Armstrong World Industries which became Kerr Glass from where he retired after 35 years of leading the R&D laboratory to numerous patents still in use today including the rubber seal on the inside of metal bottle caps. (cheers).

Bob was a lifelong Catholic first attending Holy Trinity in Columbia and then St. Philip the Apostle where he was a founding member of 46 years as well as a tenor with his beloved choir. His interests were as numerous as they were varied and often dictated by the needs of others. He was a teacher, sports fan, electrician, pro-life advocate, hunter, cruiser, plumber, gardener, caregiver, carpenter, golfer, philanthropist, republican, camper, computer programmer, fasnacht deliveryman, mechanic, volunteer, roller coaster fanatic, Irish fan, landscaper, and ice cream connoisseur.

He lived his life in accordance with his faith and his highly ethical and moral beliefs. He exemplified what it is to be a man. To love your family, love God, and work hard. He quietly and consistently took care of business, leading by example and making everyone around him a better person. It is how Bob will live on in spirit by all those he touched, especially his seven children: Anthony J. Fischer, husband of Gail of Audubon, PA, Timothy R. Fischer, husband of Margaret (Bolgiano) of Sparta, NJ, Vincent M. Fischer, husband of Deanna of Audubon, NJ, Theresa Baker, wife of Mark Till of Mountville, M. Christine Hansson of Willow Street, John T. Fischer, husband of Michelle of Lancaster and Mark E. Fischer, husband of Jennifer (Bull) of Lancaster; 23 grandchildren and three siblings; Gerald Fischer, husband of Lareene of Columbia, Lorraine, wife of Ed Ziegler of Willow Street and Richard Fischer of West Seneca, NY. He was preceded in death by siblings Mildred Johnson and Donald and Joseph Fischer.

Friends will be received on Saturday from 10-11 AM, followed by Mass with Rev. Mark E. Weiss as Celebrant at 11 AM, at Saint John Neumann Catholic Church, Lancaster, PA. Interment in St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery. Please omit flowers. Memorial Contributions may be made to Autism Speaks, attn.: Web Gift, 1060 State Road, 2nd Floor, Princeton, NJ 08540 www.autismspeaks.org or to Hospice & Community Care, PO Box 4125, Lancaster 17604-4125.

Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page


Be sure to include your name

Please note that your condolence will not appear on this page until it is reviewed. Condolences usually appear within 24 hours of being submitted.

Condolences to the Family

September 09, 2014

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May the many happy memories you have bring you comfort and peace. – Carolyn Bolgiano Capistrano

September 05, 2014

We extend our condolences to all of you.  It was our privelege in the late 1970’s and into the ’80 to work with Bob in Pennsylvanians for Human Life.
Bob was a quiet, but faithful pillar of our organization.  He never spoke about himself but was totally devoted to his wife and children and still found the time to serve his community and the Pro Life cause.  It was a pleasure knowing him.  We will keep you in our prayers in the months ahead.
Judie and Peter Monticchio

September 05, 2014

Your families are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of loss. The world will sadly miss such a gentleman.
 
Carole J. Rusnak

September 05, 2014

It was truly a privilege to have this man as my father in law and grandfather to our children.  There is no one else in the world I would have wanted more for the job than Bob.  We will miss you more than you’ll ever know.  Thanks for all the fabulous fun and memories.  
Love,
Michelle Fischer
 

September 04, 2014

To the Fischer family and my best Friend Vince,
My sincere condolences. Your dad was one of the good guys and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He was someone who I admired and respected. I will keep your family and him in my prayers n let my dad know to welcome him to heaven because that’s where he’s headed now. Celebrate his life and remember the good times.
Chris Sager and family

September 04, 2014

We are do sorry to hear of Bobs passing….our prayers to your family.He was a good man,very kind,intelligent and friendly ….he will be missed…love Dave and Bettty Kaufhold 

September 04, 2014

To the Fischer Family:
 
Hope you find comfort in all those “Happy Memories” of Bob.   He was such a
wonderful person, father, and friend to everyone.  I will truly miss him. 
Your in my prayers.  Love Ann Hardy
 

September 04, 2014

To The Fischer Family,
First my husband and I would like to express our Deepest Condolences .
I went to school with Bob (class of 51) and have wonderful memories . What a wonderful and gentle / kind Hearted  friend he was ,Bob will be sadly missed by those who knew him.  Bob also work along with us on the class commitee preparing for our class reunion. He would make up all the news letters and mail them all out to our classmates. He has done so much for others ,yet ask nothing in return. What a pleasure it has been for me to have know such a Great Man as Bob. 
I know he is with the Lord in Heaven as well with his wife Peggy.  Bob, Thank You from the bottom of my Heart for being there for me and the Class of ’51.      Rest well till we meet again old friend and what a reunion we will have.  
                                                  Truly sorry for your Loss, I will keep you in my Prayers.
                                               Joanne(Webber) and Sam Caterbone and Family
 

September 03, 2014

To Vince and the rest of the Fischer Family,
On behalf of the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission’s Engineering Department, please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of your father.  Although I did not know him personally, the information I read about his life and his accomplishments, both personal and professional, paints a picture of a truly intelligent, caring, and compassionate man who truly loved his family and his faith.  It is my hope that as the pain of his loss fades, you are left with only the cherished memories of his wonderful life.
Roy W. Little, Chief Engineer 

September 03, 2014

I didn’t have the distinct honor to meet Bob personally but have had the pleasure of being a friend to his son Tim, wife Peggy and their 4 children. In reading Bobs obituary I now see where Tim gets his unique qualities. I have personally become a better father,friend,community leader, and businessman because of the relationship I have with Tim and his family. Tim’s strong faith and eagerness to lend a helping hand to all in need is a true testament to Bob. Though your journey has come to a close here on earth your spirit and insperation will live on in the hearts of all the Fischers to share with the world.
May you rest in peace my friend.
God Bless,
Joe Blauner and Family

September 03, 2014

To the Fischer Family,
Michelle and I wanted to express our most sincere condolences and let you know that we are praying for all of you.  We have known Tony and Gayle for many years and consider them to be close friends.  Tony spoke of your father Bob often and I know he loves him a great deal and that this loss will be difficult for him as it is for all of you. Tony is a very good man and a great example of what it means to be a friend.  He certainly had a great example to follow in your father.  We wish all of you our best as you face this time of grief.
Lonnie and Michelle Macdonald

September 03, 2014

Though I did not personally know Bob, I have had the joy of knowing his son Tim and his wife Peggy and their wonderful children Pat, Dan Ted and Marirose for years.  It is obvious that Bob as a Father and Grandfather lived a life of faith and service. through his inspiration, I have seen Tim live a life of faith, inspiration and kindness to others unfailingly without exception.  I have seen the compassion with which Tim cared for his parents and siblings and the love and devotion and support he extends to his own wife and children. As a community in Sparta, countless children and young adults have benefitted from the selfless hours that Tim gave to those who were gifted and those who struggled with equal kindess and attentiveness. Tim obviously followed Bob’s example form the Bible of “do unto others” by showing his own family and colleagues love and kindness as well as thpse around him.  So many have reaped the joy and strength  in a time of trouble of knowing that a Fischer family member was on their side. So while Bob has gone to his Heavenly Reward, I have no doubt that his legacy will live on in the wonderful family that Tim and his siblings have raised and in the deeds which speak so much louder than words ever could that are performed by Boob’s grandchildren for the good of all-the world will continue to be a better place because men like Boob were “real men” and taught their sons and daughters love, charity and compassion and the importance of honorably passing that legacy forward to a whole new generation. May he live forever in the memory of their kindness. 
God Bless,
Jacquelyn J. Burt and Family(Frank Tanzola, Ally Tanzola, Harrison Tanzola), Sparta ,NJ

Visitation
Saturday, September 06, 2014
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
St. John Neumann Catholic Church
601 E. Delp Road
Lancaster, PA 17601
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
Services
Saturday, September 06, 2014
11:00 AM
St. John Neumann Catholic Church
601 E. Delp Road
Lancaster, PA 17601
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
Send Flowers Online

Offering Lancaster, PA funeral services for over 75 years.

Our six funeral homes in Lancaster County makes it easy and convenient to make arrangements and host services close to home.

  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Downtown Lancaster
  • 414 East King St.
  • 717-393-9661
  • Charles F. (Chip) Snyder, Jr. Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Lititz Pike
  • 3110 Lititz Pike
  • 717-560-5100
  • Charles F. (Chad) Snyder, III Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Millersville
  • 441 North George St.
  • 717-872-5041
  • Mark D. Burkholder Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Spacht-Snyder Family Funeral Home Lititz, PA
  • 127 South Broad St.
  • 717-626-2317
  • Jacqueline Adamson Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Bachman-Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory Strasburg, PA
  • 7 South Decatur Street
  • 717-687-7644
  • Norman T. Mable Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Willow Street, PA
  • 2421 Willow Street Pike
  • 717-464-4600
  • Kelly Gramola Townsend Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info