Seth M. Fisher

November 17, 2010

Seth M. Fisher, M.D., of Mountain Top and formerly of Villanova, Pa., completed the long journey home Wednesday, November 17, 2010, at Hospice Community Care Inpatient Unit at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Fisher was born April 12, 1925, a son of the late H. Ward Fisher, M.D., and Margaret Jones Fisher. He was raised in Wilkes-Barre, graduating from E.L. Meyers High School. He attended Franklin and Marshall College and Hahnemann Medical College on an accelerated program receiving a bachelor's degree in chemistry from F&M in 1945 and his medical degree from Hahnemann in 1948. He completed an internship in 1949 and the first year of a residency in anesthesiology in 1950 at Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital. Dr. Fisher served two years of active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1950 to 1952, rising to the rank of full lieutenant. During his tenure in the Navy he was senior medical officer, seeing duty with the Atlantic Fleet, Pacific Fleet and briefly with the U.S. Marines. Following his service in the Navy, Dr. Fisher returned to Hahnemann in 1952 completing his anesthesia residency in 1953. Thereafter, he joined the faculty at Hahnemann, achieving the rank of full professor of anesthesiology. During his career at Hahnemann, he was involved in training hundreds of medical students and residents. He was a member of the admissions committee for Hahnemann Medical College for 10 years serving as chairman of the advanced standing committee for five years. Dr. Fisher loved taking care of patients. He was a "doctor's doctor" and was recognized in 2005 by Philadelphia City Council for his years of care to the police and firemen of the City of Philadelphia with the honorary title of "The Policeman's Anesthesiologist." His exceptional medical skills were recognized with his being named chairman of the Department of Anesthesia at Hahnemann from 1978 to 1981. He retired from Hahnemann in 1994 with the rank of emeritus professor of anesthesiology. While working in Philadelphia for 45 years, Dr. Fisher was very active in the Philadelphia County Medical Society. He chaired its Anesthesia Study Commission for 10 years and was a member of the professional relations and grievance committee for eight years. In addition to the Philadelphia County Medical Society, Dr. Fisher was a longtime member of the American Medical Association, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management, and the International Anesthesia Research Society. But as much as Dr. Fisher loved caring for patients, family always came first. He loved to play softball with his sons and their friends. As they grew, softball was replaced by golf. Dr. Fisher loved the game of golf and was a member of the Philadelphia Country Club for over 40 years. He was an avid gardener, bridge player and voracious reader, particularly medical journals and mystery novels. He also loved completing crossword puzzles, frequently doing them in pen! Unfortunately, the scourge of Alzheimer's disease robbed him of these pursuits. Dr. Fisher will be greatly missed by his family, friends, the numerous patients whose lives he helped and the legion of residents who were touched by his clinical skills and expertise. His legacy will live on in these physicians and those they train. In addition to his parents, Dr. Fisher was preceded in death by the wife to whom he was devoted, Ruth "Kit" (Miller) Fisher, who was called home in 1998. He is survived by his sons, Robert C. Fisher, Collegeville, Pa., and Seth W. Fisher, M.D., and wife Carolyn J. Fisher, Mountain Top. Funeral Services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday from the Harold C. Snowdon Funeral Home Inc., 140 N. Main St., Shavertown. The Rev. James H. Shanley, of the Presbyterian Church of Mountain Top, will officiate. Interment beside his wife, Kit, will be at the convenience of the family at the Wayne Presbyterian Church, Wayne, Pa. Friends may call from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania, 57 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701, Hospice Community Care, 601 Wyoming Ave., Kingston, PA 19704, or the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, 4101 Birney Ave., Moosic, PA 18507-1323. Condolences may also be sent to the Fisher family via e-mail at snowdonfuneral@frontier.com .