Biography of Kenneth Moore Fisher
Kenneth Moore Fisher was born April 9, 1933 in Lincoln, NE, the youngest of eight. Family difficulties caused the children to be cared for by the extended family of grandparents, aunts & uncles. Kenneth was taken by an orphanage representative to an aunt in Colorado. The orphanage lady handed Ken over to his Aunt Mrytle with no papers or documents. Mrytles husband worked for the railroad, so she had a free pass to deliver the baby to a half great aunt in Mullen, Idaho. Little did they know how lucky he was. His Aunt Olive who was almost 50 at the time said, No one wanted him because he was just a baby, but I did. and she did! She gave him every opportunity: dance lessons, music lessons, ski lessons, swimming lessons, music camps, a beloved pony, birthday parties, and much more. She even took him back to Nebraska so he could meet his siblings. Ken had a happy childhood and he was a happy adult. He loved almost everything life had to offer except vegetables! He particularly loved Aunties seven layer chocolate cake.
He attended the University of Idaho where he was on their swim team, then spent two years in the army in Germany and returned to Idaho in 1955 where he met Nancy, his future wife. Ken graduated from the University of Idaho in 1958 with a business degree and teaching credentials, taking a job in Mackay, Idaho because it was close to Sun Valley where he could ski. He really wasnt sure what he wanted to do with his life, but found he loved teaching and it became his lifes work.
Nancy & Ken were married June 6, 1959. For several years, they were life guards at the swimming pools in Spokane in the summer and teachers in Mackay in the winter. Their beloved son Robert was born in 1962 and in the fall Ken took a job in Deer Park, Washington where he taught typing, chorus, band and drill team.
His creativeness and dance skills were used teaching drill team and winning many awards in competition. Under Kens direction, the Deer Park band and drill team were well known in the Spokane area. His Marching Stag Band had the honor of marching in the 1970 Rose Bowl parade and they were Washington States representative to the 1976 Bicentennial Parade of States in Philadelphia PA. He wanted every child in band to have the opportunity to take one big trip while they were in high school so there were many more trips such as the Calgary Stampede parade in Calgary Alberta, but none were quite as big as the Rose Bowl or the Bicentennial. He enjoyed taking the students on band trips making each trip an educational experience, but also full of fun. He loved teaching kids and they loved him in return.
Kens loves were many – to name a few:
His music especially the piano,
Skiing, swimming
Big cars
Going for drives in the country – even better a trip in the motor home,
Working on the farm,
Old time movies especially westerns,
Horses! – he bought a horse with his 1st pay check in Mackay and a saddle with Nancys first pay check!
He was a real want-to-be cowboy, he loved traveling through cattle country and imagined himself on horseback right out of one of those westerns
He loved his recliner – to watch the movies, of course
Playing bridge,
Getting a mocha at Quick Trip,
And of course his family and many friends.
There isnt time nor space to talk about all he loved in life.
After 35 years of teaching Ken retired in 1993 and became a house husband while Nancy continued working. When she retired in 1995 and started to cook a meal at home, he gently told her to get out of his kitchen. (They worked that problem out later!)
In 1996 they came to Viewpoint where Ken followed his love of music. He played the piano for the Good Time Singers and later became their director. He sang in the Choir, was the director for three years and then became the accompanist. He also sang in the Classic Chorale and accompanied them on the piano. Ken passed away suddenly on Wednesday January 21, 2009 at Viewpoints Concert Band practice. He was where he loved to be, taking part in Viewpoints music among his friends. He will be remembered for his big smile, his patient and kind heart and his love of life.
He had a wonderful summer, tending to the yard at home in Deer Park and enjoying his family at the family reunion on the farm. He spent many hours with his grandson Ryan getting ready painting, fixing fence and making the place look good. He especially loved sitting down with his sister Liz and playing all the golden oldies on two pianos for the rest of the family.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his loving daughter Brooke Allison Fisher-Knapp, his brothers Clayton, Burt & Keith, and his sister Janice. He is survived by his wife Nancy, his son Robert and wife Tina, his grandchildren Rachel, Ryan, Luke & John Fisher of Long Lake WA, his dear Aunt Gertrude Skinner of Hastings NE, his sisters: Jean Chisholm of Coeur dAlene, Idaho; Genevieve Harwood of Arlington VA; and sister Elizabeth Cooley of King George VA and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.