Robert (Bob) Charles Fischer, 89, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 22, 2024, following a brief hospital stay. Bob was born on May 10, 1935, in Garrison, North Dakota, as the eldest of four sons to William H. Fischer and Marie Mertz Fischer.
After graduating from high school in 1953, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Darlene “Dolly” Joy Wretling Fischer. In 1954, Bob enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a Private First Class (PFC). His military journey took him and his growing family across the globe.
Initially stationed at Fort Crowder, MO, Bob and Dolly welcomed their daughter, Cynthia (Cindy) Fischer, in November 1956. Shortly after, Bob was transferred to Hawaii, followed by Camp Lejeune, where he worked in the early stages of computer integration for the U.S. Marine Corps. His assignments included a 13-month deployment in Okinawa, Japan, during which he and Dolly adopted their son, Mark Robert Fischer, in 1964.
Bob's exceptional service earned him a commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1966. His career saw continued progression, including a promotion to First Lieutenant in 1967 and to Captain in 1969, during which he served in Da Nang, Vietnam. After returning stateside, Bob was stationed at several locations, including Kansas City, MO, and Quantico, VA, where he was promoted to Major in 1976. Bob retired in 1979 at Cherry Point, NC, after 26 years of dedicated service to his country.
Following his military retirement, Bob embarked on a second career with General Telephone & Electronics (GTE) in Durham, NC. Sadly, in 1982, Bob’s beloved wife Dolly passed away after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.
On March 22, 1986, Bob married Lillian Anne (Roberts) Fischer of Columbia, SC, and the two shared 39 wonderful years together. Bob and Anne lived in Durham for nearly a decade before his retirement from GTE in 1995. They then moved to Columbia, SC, where Bob was an active member of his Methodist church, choir, and men’s group. He also enjoyed traveling with the Apaz Deraz choral group and cheering on the Gamecocks with his family.
In 2003, Bob and Anne relocated to Greensboro, NC, to be closer to family. They became devoted members of Jamestown United Methodist Church, where Bob sang in the choir and played handbells. He also found fulfillment volunteering along side Anne with the church’s outreach center for over a decade. In recent years, Bob and Anne resided at Harmony of Greensboro.
Bob will be remembered as a loving father, devoted husband, doting grandfather, and faithful servant to his community and country.
He is survived by his wife, Lillian Anne Fischer; his daughter, Cynthia (Cindy) Fischer of Palmyra, VA; his son, Mark Fischer (and wife Stephanie Fischer) of Greensboro, NC; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Darlene “Dolly” Joy Wretling Fischer.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on February 1, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Hines Lineberry Funeral Home, 515 N. Elm St., Greensboro, NC 27401. The family will receive friends following the service.
To honor Bob’s memory, donations may be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Piedmont, 419 S. Hawthorne Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, https://rmhcpt.org/donate/. Online condolences may be offered at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.
