Bruce Abbott Fisher

Bruce was born on March 16, 1950, in Toledo, OH the youngest child of Earl and Katherine Fisher. While in high school, Bruce began dating Laura Bollinger, sneaking her around on his motorcycle and attending both of their senior proms together. Bruce and Laura were married in 1970 or 71, depending on who you ask, and enjoyed 55 years of marriage.

Bruce graduated from the University of Toledo and a few years after his marriage moved to Charlotte, NC for work. Bruce fully embraced his new home town and was a founding season ticket holder for the Carolina Panthers, attending games at Clemson before their home stadium was built and making it to both Super Bowls the Panthers played in.

Bruce welcomed his only child, daughter Abbie, in 1987. He led many family adventures, spending time at Myrtle Beach and his family’s farm in Maine as well as planning trips throughout the US and abroad. Particularly memorable was his 25th anniversary trip to Australia, where he and his family met wallabies, visited the rainforest and the desert, and made many memories.

Bruce began working for PCA International in the mid-1970s, eventually becoming CFO and retiring at 49 through his savvy planning. After retirement, he dedicated his time to volunteer work including driving cancer patients to treatment, distributing groceries at Loaves and Fishes food pantry on a weekly basis, and Habitat for Humanity. He always made himself available to help friends and neighbors in need.

Bruce was an avid outdoorsman and loved to spend time in nature. He often played golf, always walking the course and carrying his own clubs, and got two holes-in-one on the same hole. He was an excellent gardener. He took several canoeing and rafting trips with friends, but his favorite hobby was hiking. He hiked numerous sections of the Appalachian Trail, and many trails in Acadia National Park and in various areas throughout Virginia and the Carolinas. After finding a second home in Wolf Laurel, NC, he developed a close community of friends including his beloved Wolf Pack hiking group. Along with Laura and Abbie, he spent the last several years travelling to national parks throughout the US and loved exploring new and different landscapes. Just last year, he completed the Mammoth March, a 20-mile hike in Kings Mountain.

Bruce is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Karen. He is survived by his wife, Laura, daughter, Abbie (Judd), and brothers Dusty (Ellen) and David (Marcia) as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

A memorial service for Bruce will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, May 2 at Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church (501 Hawthorne Ln, Charlotte, NC 28204) with reception to follow. Donations can be made in Bruce’s honor to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church.