Richard H. Fischer

Norfolk-- Richard Henry Fischer (Dick), 88 returned to Jesus, his Lord and Savior, on May 6, 2008. He was a resident of Ocean View since 1953; a native of Hamburg Germany; son of the late Emil and Marie Moeller Fischer. He was predeceased by his first wife, Doris Marchick Fischer. To cherish his memory, Dick leaves his loving and devoted wife, Grace Hambric Fischer, two sons Alan Richard Fischer of Norfolk and Stephen Fredrick Fischer and his wife Cheyenne of Colleyville, TX, Granddaughter, Spain Fischer, student in Orlando, FL. and Shane Fischer, student in Austin, TX., sister Adele Turner of Atlanta, GA., stepdaughters Toni Barnard and her husband William of Sanford, NC., Reida Meunier and her husband Donald of Chesterfield, VA. Dick remembers passing through Ellis Island with his family in 1923. Living in New Jersey as a young boy, he saw the Hindenburg on its fateful last flight to Lakehurst, NJ. His family moved to Manhattan where he played cowboys in Central Park. He joined the U.S. Navy at age 17. During WWII he successfully led a beach party invasion of IE SHIMA, a small island near Okinawa where he met Ernie Pyle just prior to him being killed. He continued service as a Chief throughout WWII and the Korean War, later skippering tug boats on the Chesapeake Bay, along with other duties. He retired from the U.S.Navy in 1957. For a short time before acceptance by the Naval Air Station Apprentice School, Norfolk, VA., he skippered tug boats for several local towing companies. After graduating from the O&R (laterNARF) apprentice school, he worked as an estimator and planner. His faithful military and civilian U.S. government service totaled 41 years. Active participation in the Boy Scouts during his sons' young years included their troop of Explorers hiking 50 miles on the Appalachian Trail and, by pre-arrangement, being greeted by Dwight D. Eisenhower at their destination. Dick greatly enjoyed his memberships in the Ocean View Baptist Church, the Wright Bible Study Class, and the 60+ Club of Ocean View Senior Center. He was a former member of several local square and round dance clubs. He and his wife, Grace traveled extensively and enjoyed attending the annual reunions of the U.S.S. Chilton which are held at various locations throughout the United States. A Memorial Service will be held in the Chapel of Woodlawn Funeral Home 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk on Monday May 12, 2008 at 1:00 PM with Pastor Jim McLendon officiating. Followed by interment, with full military honors, at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:00 until 1:00PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the elevator fund at Ocean View Baptist Church, 9504 Selby Place, Norfolk, VA. 23503, or the charity of choice. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the entire staff of the Odyssey Health Care division of Hospice. Online condolences and Richard's guestbook may be signed at www.woodlawngroup.com