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.