Robert A. Fisk

1933 - 2016

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert "Bob" Armstrong Fisk, beloved brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. After surviving plane crashes, heart surgery, falls off horses, cancer, Korean War and other misadventures in his 82 years, he passed at his home in Washington, Calif., peacefully in his sleep. He was born in Jacksonville, Ill., to Marvin and Marceline and lived there for his first 14 years with his older sister, Eleanore. He then followed his father to California, where he worked with him mining gold and learned his love of mountains. He joined the Army and served in the Korean War as an X-ray technician. After he was honorably discharged, he went to school and earned his degree in Chemistry from UCDavis. He married his first wife, Pat, and raised five children with her: Liz (now Veldsman), Kathy (now Miner), Matt, Jeanette and Byron. He spent most of his career at UCDavis as an instructor and researcher in the parasitology department, and many weekends flying airplanes, camping and fishing. In 1988, he retired from UCDavis and moved to Alaska, with his second wife, Susan. They raised two children, Colleen and Sarah, and spent much of his time hunting, fishing and horse packing. He moved back to the Lower 48 in 2007, spending time in Oregon and California with his sister's family (the Biggs), his children and grandchildren. He eventually settled in Washington, Calif., in the same town he and his father had worked in the '40s. He also connected with his younger brother, Dan, served on the water board and continued to walk in the mountains when his health allowed. In Alaska, California or wherever he lived, he could be found most mornings with a cup of coffee in his hand, a friend to share it with and a story to tell. He was always planning his next adventure, even after a lifetime full of them; he told his family that he had no regrets. He is survived by his brother; seven children; eight grandchildren, Jeffery and Julie Miner, Mandy Mathisen, Molly, Jacob, Aiden and Adison Fisk and Tricia Amyx; one great-granddaughter, Melody Amyx; four nieces; four nephews; and three cousins. A celebration of life will be held at Wildwood Farm, 1879 North Wildwood Circle in Wasilla, Alaska, on April 10, 2016, starting at 1 p.m. It will be an outdoor potluck/bonfire. A memorial service will be held at The Crossing Church in Sacramento, Calif., on April 17, 2016, at 5 p.m.