George Robert Fischer

Time and tide waits for no man. May his seas be smooth.

He was born in Susanville, California, May 4, 1937. Stanford graduate, NPS Ranger, archaeologist, one heck of an interesting guy.

Died May 29, 2016, Tallahassee, Fl, at 79 after a recent decline in health.

George is survived by his wife of almost 55 years, Nancy, his son Matthew (Teresa), and grandchildren Daniel and Helene.

He distinguished himself as the founding figure of underwater archaeology in the National Park Service, leaving behind a legacy of students, projects, and groundbreaking methods and approaches and philosophies. He is remembered fondly by those he influenced in the field, and will be forever known for his contributions, guiding hand, and very often his shenanigans. He was instrumental in developing the submerged cultural resource program at the National Park Service as well as the underwater archaeology program at Florida State University. He was also a founding member of the Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology.

Services are to be held Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at The Episcopal Church of the Advent in Tallahassee, 10:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, George asked for donations in his honor to Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program (LAMP), 81 Lighthouse Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32080. Todd Wahlquist with Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. 850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tallahassee Democrat on May 31, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for George Fischer

Sponsored by Bevis Funeral Home - Tallahassee Cremation-Prearrangement Center.

11 Entries

Wilma Clark

June 4, 2016

George always brought some wit and humor into the SEAC office. He could be depended on to bring a box of Mrs. Seay's candies back when he visited his Father in California. He had a way of showing appreciation for one without ever saying so.

Wilma Clark

H. Dale Durham

June 2, 2016

George was a very good friend and colleague to me when I was the Chief, Museum Services Division, Southeast Region, National Park Service. George worked with me on many projects and his insight, vast knowledge and quick wit kept me on the straight and narrow. After we both retired we kept in touch and I was proud to be asked to review and comment on several books and articles he wrote. George will be missed by me and the entire museum and archeological community. Fair winds and following seas George!

Jay Haviser

June 1, 2016

George was a unique and admired character, always full of laughs and special insights, I am honored to have known him, he will be missed!

Mary Pohl

May 31, 2016

George Fischer was a beloved and wise figure at the FSU anthropology department and at our partner institution the Southeast Archaeological Center of the National Park Service. His contributions to both our programs are great. Heartfelt condolences to Nancy and his family.

Chuck Meide

May 31, 2016

George was my teacher and mentor, as he was for countless other archaeologists who took his classes at Florida State University between the 1970s and 1990s and into the early 2000s. George founded the underwater archeology program in the U.S. National Park Service, which was first operated from the Southeast Archeological Center in Tallahassee before the formation of the Submerged Cultural Resources Unit (now the Submerged Resources Center). He was also a founding member of the Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology, which currently exists as an international committee of the Society for Historical Archaeology. He began teaching underwater archaeology classes at Florida State University in 1974, and was named a Courtesy Assistant Professor in 1988 upon his retirement from the National Park Service. He taught underwater archaeology and scientific diving classes at FSU every year for almost 30 years. He was an inspiration for at least two generations of underwater archaeologists, who now comprise many leaders in the field working professionally in the private sector, as government archaeologists, in the museum community, and in academia. Many of us have the privilege, as George did, of shaping the next generation of maritime archaeologists.

The first underwater archaeology project George directed was a survey of Montezuma's Well in October 1968. This was one of the earliest of such projects to be carried out in the U.S. George also served as the project coordinator for the excavation of the 1865 steamboat Bertrand in 1969, and was involved with the investigation of the 1554 Padre Island wrecks the following year. He directed research projects in the Dry Tortugas, including surveys of National Park waters and investigations at Fort Jefferson and at the alleged site of the 1622 galleon Rosario shipwreck, between the 1960s and 1980s. On July 4, 1980, Fischer's team discovered the remains of the British warship HMS Fowey, in the waters of Biscayne National Park. The subsequent investigation and identification of this shipwreck is considered by many of his students to be the highlight of George's career; we certainly remember his "magic lantern" slideshows on the project. Its story is told in the book co-authored by George and his former student, Dr. Russ Skowronek, "HMS Fowey Lost and Found," published in 2009. This is a great read for those who don't yet have it on their bookshelf.

At the end of his career, many of George's students were delighted to see him recognized for his contributions to the field. On March 21, 2007 my institution, the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum and the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program, honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his "many contributions to the field of underwater archaeology, and to the education of this and future generations of underwater archaeologists." George's personal library is now part of the permanent collections at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, which is fitting given that George directed the first underwater archaeological research in St. Augustine, the nation's oldest port. In 2008 a session of papers in honor of George--titled "The Wrecks We've Gone Down On"--were presented at the 41st annual SHA Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, located close to his earliest work on Montezuma's Well. On January 8, 2010 George was presented with the Society of Historical Archaeology's Award of Merit for "his many contributions to the development of underwater archaeology and for his exemplary service on the Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology."

As a colleague has written upon hearing the news of his death, George was a legend. His antics included fireworks in SHA hotel stairwells, sword cane incidents in university hallways, inappropriate photographs in government offices, and others that won't be repeated here. He survived motorcycle and diving accidents and long-time but eventually abandoned bad habits of drinking and smoking. He could be a little rough around the edges for bright-eyed students of the 1990s at the introduction to college campuses of political correctness. He was never afraid to speak his mind even if it cost him political points, and he adorned his office wall with official bureaucratic reprimands like red-taped badges of courage. On the day of his death he told his wife that the thing he was most proud of was his students. We learned from him of archaeology and anthropology and life, and we loved him, and we will proudly carry on his legacy. We will sorely miss him.

Chuck Meide

Owen (Chip) Wright

May 31, 2016

You have sailed off our charts... But not out of our hearts. Smooth sailing and calm seas from here, my friend.

Melanie Damour

May 31, 2016

George's classes were some of my favorite experiences as an undergrad and grad student in FSU's underwater archaeology program (1994-2002). I loved and admired his candor and honesty. He was supportive, encouraging, helpful, and fatherly to many of us (and gave us the proverbial kick in the pants when we needed it!). I hope he knew how much his students truly loved and appreciated him. Nancy and Matt, we love you too and are so sorry for your loss.

Theresa Jones

May 31, 2016

My Buddy George,

I don't know where to start. You were my buddy. The most intelligent, witty and accomplished man I have and will ever meet. I will miss your sarcastic humor, the many stories and talks of your past adventures that I will cherish and remember forever. You were the fighter all the way George. I am so Glad I got to see you Friday with your last Vanilla milkshake, that for once you couldn't finish drinking. Set sail on the seas in heaven George. Godspeed, until we meet again. All my Love, Terri Jones

Kelley Scudder-Temple

May 31, 2016

An amazing man. Remembering every story, every class, every conversation and am so very grateful that George was my mentor and friend. Will miss him.

May 31, 2016

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Sarah Schuetz

May 31, 2016

Prayers of comfort for Nancy and Matt; prayers for peace for George. May God's light shine upon your family in this time of loss.

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