Dr. Robert Ross Fisher

POLAND – Memorial services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the Christ Church Presbyterian in Youngstown for Dr. Robert Ross Fisher, 85, formerly of Talsman Drive in Canfield and Spartan Drive in Boardman.

He was born June 14, 1924, in Youngstown, and passed away quietly in the early morning of April 29, 2010, with his three children, David, Robert and Elizabeth at his side.

He had been a resident of Hampton Woods Nursing Center, 1525 East Western Reserve Road in Poland, for three years.

Robert graduated from Boardman High school in June of 1942, and received his medical degree from Boston University in June of 1948.

In July of 1948, while Robert was a young intern at the North Side Unit of the Youngstown Hospital Association, he met a young and spirited nurse by the name of Eleanor June Bell. They were married a year later on July 9, 1949, at the Trinity Methodist Church in Youngstown. June was born July 10, 1926, in Greenfield, Pa., and passed away March 18, 1999, in Youngstown.

Together, they had three children, David Charles Fisher, born March 21, 1952, in Minneapolis, Minn., Robert Wendell Fisher, born Dec. 6, 1954 in Youngstown, and Elizabeth Lee Fisher, born May 16, 1957 in Youngstown. David married Cynthia F. Compton on Aug. 9, 1997, and they have four children, Matthew Keith Compton, Daniel Lee Compton (twin), Jenna Lynn Compton (twin), and Evan Robert Fisher. Robert married Susan Elizabeth Leffler on Sept. 9, 1978, and they have two children, Stephen James Fisher and Caroline Elizabeth Fisher. Elizabeth married Eric Timothy Davis on Dec. 13, 1980, and they have one child, Amy Rose Davis.

He is also survived by a longtime companion, Doris Godlove of Canfield.

Robert Ross Fisher is the third child and second son of James L. and Ethel Fisher. His father was also a well-known physician in downtown Youngstown for many years. Robert’s mother was Margaret Ethel Zellman, born in Philadelphia. His older brother, James Lee Fisher Jr., a resident of Akron, died June 14, 2006. His sister, Margaret E. Acosta, currently lives in Escondido, Calif. The colorful Memoirs of Dr. James Lee Fisher, This one is on Me, can be read Online at: http://www.frontierfamilies.net/family/Panhandle/Home.html.

Dr. Robert Ross Fisher had a deep love of American history, and especially the history of his Fisher Family. His grandfather, George Elmer Fisher (1864-1953), was one of the early amateur photographers in the United States. A large collection of dry plate negatives of his family life in the late 1890s and early 1900s still exists, and has been preserved in an Online collection that can be viewed at: http://www.frontierfamilies.net/family/Panhandle/photo_index.html. Robert and his father James Lee never tired of the stories of George Elmer Fisher’s life with the Pennsylvania Railroad in Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.

Dr. Fisher was a beloved General Practitioner in Boardman for many years. He was a gentle and easy-going family doctor, with a wonderful sense of humor and a caring touch. His personal concern for his patients was genuine. He was loved by many and he made house calls.

He was a member of the American Medical Association; Past President of the Mahoning County Medical Society and editor Emeritus of The Mahoning County Medical Society Bulletin; member of the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians; on the Board of Directors of the Visiting Nurses Associations of the Greater Youngstown Area; active member and Deacon of the Christ United Presbyterian Church, as well as many other community and professional associations.

As a husband, father and grandfather, he was always loving, caring, modest and extremely generous. He was beloved by all who knew him, and will be deeply missed by everyone he touched.

Calling hours will be today from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Davis Funeral Home in Boardman.

Internment will be at Forest Lawn with his wife, Eleanor June Fisher.

Contributions can be made to the Visiting Nurses Association, 518 E. Indianola Ave., Youngstown, Ohio 44502.

Arrangements are being handled by the Davis Funeral Home.