Daniel Richard Fisher

Dr. Daniel Richard Fisher (July 6th, 1935 - December 15th, 2023)

Dr. Daniel Richard Fisher, a beloved physician specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2023, at the age of 88 in San Diego, CA. Daniel was known for his adventurous spirit, generous nature, and lifelong commitment to learning. He had an incredible ability to captivate his audience with his storytelling and contagious laugh.

Daniel is survived by his life-partner of 20 years, Beverly Bradley. He is also survived by his children, Steve Fisher, Alice Fisher Goodman, and Bill Fisher, as well as his son-in-law, Ted Goodman, and daughter-in-law, Lorna Kirwan. Daniel's memory will forever live on in the hearts of his cherished grandchildren, Christopher Goodman, Ryan Goodman, Lauren Goodman Merle, Iris Fisher, and Sam Fisher. He was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Calvin Merle and Sloane Goodman.

Daniel was born on July 6th, 1935 in Flint, Michigan to Daniel Frank Fisher and Rosemonde Geraldine Outwater. His family moved to Sandwich, Illinois when he entered high school. He later trained and competed as a boxer, earning his Golden Gloves around the same time he received his bachelor's degree from Albion College in 1957. He continued his education to earn his medical degree at the University of Illinois in 1961.

While on a break from school, he met his future wife, Margaret Jane Lowden (later Jane Lowden Fisher) of Hinsdale, Illinois. They married in 1960 and had three children: Steven, Alice and William. They later divorced in 1999.

After their wedding, Daniel and Jane packed all of their belongings into a tiny Volkswagen Beetle – even carefully stuffing the hubcaps of the car with well padded dinner plates to maximize the vehicle's cargo capacity – and moved to Albuquerque, where Daniel completed his internship. While working at the Bernalillo County-Indian Hospital, Daniel read about defibrillators, a new technology at the time, and had one built from parts he ordered through the mail. This was the first defibrillator at the hospital and it saved many lives.

Afterward, Daniel fulfilled his military service duty through the United States Public Health Service in New Orleans.

The family moved to San Francisco in 1964, where Daniel completed his residency at the University of California at San Francisco. During his residency, Daniel visited his uncle Clarence and aunt Muriel in nearby Stockton, and Daniel and Jane decided to settle there in 1966.

Daniel's career as a physician spanned over 30 years in Stockton, California, where he dedicated himself to providing exceptional care to his patients. Daniel initially worked at the San Joaquin County Hospital and later became part of the obstetrics and gynecology team working at both Dameron Hospital and Saint Joseph's Hospital. Daniel was certified as a specialist by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1969 and admitted as a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons in 1971.

Throughout his practice, Daniel diligently researched emerging medical technologies and techniques, often becoming an early adopter of them. He was quick to adopt laparoscopic surgical techniques and acquired an ultrasound machine when these technologies emerged in the 1970s and 1980s.

During the 1980s, Daniel became interested in the field of infertility and transitioned his practice away from obstetrics to focus more on this emerging field of medicine. He found tremendous personal satisfaction in helping couples who were having trouble conceiving a child to overcome their difficulties and to create the families they wanted.

Daniel also became an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of California at Davis in 1994 and was certified by the Medical Board of California as an Expert Medical Reviewer in 1996.

Daniel was an avid skier and ski racer, earning a Nastar gold medal in the early 1980s. He later enjoyed cycling and mountain biking. Daniel was also passionate about investing and he followed the markets and daily economic news with great interest.

After his divorce, Daniel moved to Reno, where he lived a largely solitary life. While on a ski trip in 2003, Daniel met Beverly Bradley on a ski bus. He fell deeply in love and spent the rest of his life with her, later moving to her home in San Diego.

After struggling with issues in his lumbar vertebrae, an irregular heartbeat and neuropathy in both of his feet, Daniel finally succumbed to congestive heart failure. He received hospice care in his home from Beverly and her son Brad DeLange and finally passed away in his sleep during the early morning hours of December 15th, 2023.

Daniel valued love above all else in life – not only the love between friends and family, but also the universal love shared by all people. He also placed great value on both health and education. And he valued freedom – most of all, the freedom from fear, an emotion which he saw as the polar opposite of love. For many years, he maintained a license plate that read LIVFREE as an encouragement to all.

Donations are gratefully requested to be directed to the American Red Cross, the San Diego Food Bank, or Episcopal Community Services, an organization working with unhoused people, which Daniel supported and volunteered for during his time in San Diego.

Dr. Daniel Richard Fisher will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy of compassion and adventure will continue to inspire future generations. May he rest in peace.