Robert I. Fisher

He was born October 20, 1941, in McKeesport, Pa. His father, Irvin Howard Fisher, managed the Fisher Bros. department store in the southeast suburb of Pittsburgh for 30 years before his sudden death from a heart attack in 1963. His mother, Idura Mae (Nelson) Fisher, a beautician, reflexologist and family caregiver, passed away in 2004.

Bob’s lifetime commitment to the education of young people began as a student at Baldwin Wallace, where he had enrolled after graduating from McKeesport Technical High School in 1959. He was recruited to play football and baseball, but a chronic knee injury ended his playing days. Undaunted, he became a student assistant coach under BW gridiron legend Lee Tressel. He received his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education with honors in 1963 and went on to earn a Master’s degree from Kent State University in 1968 and a Ph.D. from Ohio State University in 1988.

It was at BW that Bob met his wife of 56 years, Marsha Franklin. Legend has it that his rendition of “16 Tons” at the annual Fraternity Sing competition caught the pretty coed’s attention. They were married February 8, 1964, in McKeesport.

After college, Bob and Marsha ran summer camps for the Goodrich settlement house and the YMCA.

Bob returned to Baldwin Wallace after completing the coursework for his Master’s degree and spent the next 45 years teaching and coaching at his alma mater. As a professor of health promotion and education, he mentored and inspired hundreds of future health teachers and public health professionals. He served as faculty chair of the university’s Division of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and was the academic program coordinator of the health promotion and education major. He also served as faculty advisor to BW’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

As defensive coordinator of the Baldwin Wallace football team, Bob helped the Yellow Jackets win ten Ohio Athletic Conference championships and the NCAA Division III national championship in 1978. His attacking “62 Games” defenses led the OAC in total defense five times and in rushing defense ten times. In 1981, the Yellow Jackets led the nation in scoring defense and set the Division III record for the fewest touchdowns allowed in a season.

In a remarkable 42 seasons at the helm of the Baldwin Wallace baseball team, Bob won more games than any head coach in any sport in BW history. His 700-641-14 record ranked 18th on the list of all-time career victories for NCAA Division III baseball coaches when he retired in 2010.

After an 8-10 rookie season, Bob’s Yellow Jackets won their first Ohio Athletic Conference Northern Division championship in 1969, and then earned two more division titles in 1972 and 1973. In 1985, he guided the Jackets to their first OAC tournament championship and their first appearance in the NCAA Division III playoffs. He finished his career with a 385-261-9 OAC record, four regular season conference championships and four NCAA Division III playoff appearances. He was selected by his fellow coaches as the OAC Coach of the Year four times, and the conference MVP award was named the Dr. Bob Fisher OAC Player-of-the-Year Award in his honor.

Generations of BW student-athletes will remember Coach Fisher as a passionate motivator who preached teamwork, attention to detail and love of the game. He led by example, often pacing his football players around the track during conditioning. When one of his baseball players made a spectacular play, he would exhort the players in the dugout to get up on their feet and cheer, declaring “That’s a Standing-O Play!”

Upon his retirement, Bob was inducted into the Baldwin Wallace University Athletic Hall of Fame, and the university’s baseball field was renamed Fisher Field.

He was inducted into the McKeesport High School Alumni & Friends Association Hall of Fame in 2019.

Like his mother, Bob was a dedicated family caregiver. His son Guy was paralyzed in 1989, and Bob devoted the rest of his life to helping him stay healthy, active and independent. When his wife was diagnosed with dementia, he cared for her at home until she needed skilled nursing care. She passed away August 22, 2020.

Bob enjoyed simple pleasures: coffee in the Metroparks, a thick newspaper, daily walks through the neighborhood, silly one-liners, and a Reese’s Miniature sandwiched between Nilla Wafers. His greatest pleasures were his grandchildren, and he never turned down an invitation to spend time with them. He spoiled them with brunch dates, “Duck” rubs, and the World’s Biggest bowls of cereal with fruit. He was a patient listener, a positive voice and a calming presence in their lives.

He is survived by two sons, Guy Fisher, and Wade Fisher (Pauline Tate), and twin daughters, Kelly (Clay) Reynolds and Shannon Fisher; five grandchildren, Stephen Kuharik, Cody Fisher, Madison Fisher, Autumn Fisher and Emma Fisher; a daughter-in-law, Paula Kuharik; and a sister, Ginny Spicher. He was preceded in death by his sister Micki Crook of Reston, Va.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to The Baldwin Wallace University Athletic Department in memory of Coach Fisher to support future generations of Yellow Jacket student-athletes.

Celebration of Life Service will be held Sunday February 16, 2025 at Baldwin Wallace University’s Ursprung Gymnasium, 136 E. Bagley Road, Berea, Ohio at 3:00 PM. The family will receive friends from 1 – 3 PM at Ursprung Gymnasium. Final resting place Woodvale Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the A. RIPEPI & SONS FUNERAL HOME, 18149 BAGLEY ROAD, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS (WEST OF I-71).