Roger M. Fischer

Senior Judge Roger M. Fischer Senior Judge Roger M. Fischer, age 70, died Sunday October 10, 2004 at home after a lengthy battle with lung cancer. He was born in Erie on June 28, 1934 son of the late Sebastian and Josephine (Daubler) Fischer, both of whom emigrated from Germany. He was elected to the Court of Common Pleas in 1983 and was the first child of immigrants to be elected to the Erie County Bench. Fischer graduated from Penn State University in 1955, from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1958, and was admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia that year. A member of the Erie County, Pennsylvania, and American Bar Association, he was honored in the Spring of 2004 by the County Bar Association with its highest honor, the Chancellor of the Bar award, in recognition of his many years of service. He served in the United States Army from 1958-1960 and upon his discharge began his legal practice in Erie. Fischer was elected as Erie County Register of Will in 1963 and subsequently re-elected in 1967, 1971, 1975, ending his service after 16 years in 1980. He was elected as the Erie County Democratic Chairman in 1968 and served in that capacity for four terms until 1976. Fischer served on the Erie County bench from 1983 to 1998 in Capacities of Administrative Judge of the Criminal Division, the President Judge of the Orphans’ Court Divisions, and as judge of the Family Court Division. He served as a Senior Judge in 1999 and 2001. During his judicial tenure, he was active in the Pennsylvania Conference of the State Trial Judges serving for six years on its Executive Committee, four years as the chair of its Orphans’ Courts Committee and eight years as vice-chair of its Ethics Committee. Fischer is survived by his beloved wife of forty-five years Gloria “Dee” (Deegan) Fischer. Two daughters, Julie Smith and her husband David of Bowie, MD, Joan Fischer DePhilippis and her husband Rick of Payson, AZ, a son Attorney Eric Fischer and his wife Maureen of Wexford, PA. Four grandchildren, Tyler and Victoria Smith and Maximillian and Sebastian Fischer. Also surviving are his aunt Thea Daubler and his cousin Christina Mitchell, both of Erie. Friends may call at the Francis V. Kloecker Funeral Home, Inc. 2502 Sassafras St., on Wednesday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at Mercyhurst Chapel on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Tom Fialkowski and Rev. Charles Schmitt officiating. Burial will be at Erie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Books for Kids, Box 3059, Erie, PA, 16508, or to Great Lakes Hospice, 1700 Peach Street, Suite 244, Erie, PA 16501.