Frederic "Dick" Richard Fischer

Dr. Frederic Richard (Dick) Fischer, 78, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. A visitation for Dick will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 23, 2024 at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel, 801-19th Street West Des Moines, Iowa 50265, followed by a memorial service and burial at 12 noon.

Dick was born on August 22, 1945 to Fredric and Alice (Porter) Fischer in Des Moines, IA. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1963. Dick earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Drake University, Master of Natural Science degree at the University of South Dakota and Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry.

On September 26, 1970 Dick married Susan Marie Skaar. They have five children: Cathy, Lisa, Garrett, Garth and Grant. Being a husband and father was the most important achievement of his life. Two of his greatest influences were his uncles, Dr. Bob Porter and Dr. Dick Porter who practiced in Beaverdale, IA. They helped guide his decision into the field of healthcare. Some of his best childhood memories were at Crandall’s Beach in Spirit Lake with his uncles and cousins at their summer cottage.

After dental school Dick and Sue moved to Audubon, IA where he began his practice. In 1991, Dick relocated his family and dental practice to Spirit Lake, IA and retired in 2010. Dick and Sue built a home on Crandall’s Beach where they loved watching their family enjoy all that Big Spirit Lake had to offer. Fishing, swimming, boating, beach bonfires and music were centerpieces of the Fischer Family. In the late stages of his career Dick really enjoyed working with the nonprofit organization Medicine: Arm-In-Arm, Inc. to provide free dental services to children in Russian orphanages. Sue, Garrett, Garth and Grant all joined him in Russia at least once to assist him in the clinics.

Dick is survived by his wife, Susan of Clive, IA; his children and grandchildren, Cathy Fischer-Hess (Chris) and their son, Theo of Boise, ID, Garrett (Joy) and their children, Morgan, Garrison and Katie Sue of Windsor Heights, IA, Garth (Anne) and their children, Eden, Avery, and Gabe of Basehor, KS, Grant (Sara) and their daughter, Gwen of Urbandale, IA; his son-in-law, Doug Wagner and his children, Keegan, Cade and Keiran of Spirit Lake, IA. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa Wagner; his sister, Alyce Byers (Fischer); his mother, Alice Fischer; and his granddaughter, Eleanor Hess.

In lieu of flowers donations may be given to Medicine: Arm-In-Arm, Inc. www.medarminarm.org.