Kenneth Paul Fisher

1941 - 2016

Kenneth Paul Fisher
July 29, 1941 - August 8, 2016
Resident of Saratoga
Kenneth Paul Fisher died at home on August 8, 2016, surrounded by his wife Marilynn, son Justin, and other family members. Ken was born on July 29, 1941, in San Francisco to Robert and Kathryn Fisher. He grew up in Burlingame and attended Burlingame High School where he excelled in science and mathematics, and played football and baseball. He was an active Explorer Scout and his many scout camping trips instilled in him a life-long love of the outdoors.
Upon graduation, he enrolled in the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo, and after the three-year program graduated in Nautical Science. Ken was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve when he first sailed U.S. Navy transport ships in the Pacific, including bringing goods up the Mekong Delta and Saigon River as the Vietnam War was beginning. During his career he truly sailed the Seven Seas: the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, and through the Suez and Panama canals. He had many adventures on the high seas and many fascinating tales to tell. At a young age he rose to the rank of Captain and sailed on the Atlantic and Caribbean, and then Sea-Land container ships on the Pacific routes until his retirement in 2004.
His love for the sea was surpassed only by his love for his wife and "first mate" Marilynn, a young flight attendant from Los Angeles, whom he married in 1967. In 1978 their son Justin was born.
Ken was an active person with many hobbies, talents, and interests. He was an outdoorsman in his youth, enjoying backpacking, fishing, and camping. Later he loved spending time at his family's "cabin" in the Trinity Alps with its wonderful unspoiled hiking trails, lakes, and rivers. He was a dedicated gardener with a special talent for growing cymbidium orchids and hanging begonias. Ken adored all kinds of sports. He was a terrific water-skier and expert Alpine skier, and enjoyed ski trips in the Sierras and the Dolomites in Italy. He was absorbed with baseball and a loyal Giants fan, as well as a season ticket holder for the Niners and loyal supporter of Stanford. In later years, Ken enjoyed salmon fishing in Kodiak, Alaska and whitewater rafting in Oregon and Idaho, and shooting ground squirrels at his brother's ranch in Oregon.
Ken was a great family guy. He truly cared about people and showed a sincere interest in helping those in need. He was an inspirational role model for his many nieces and nephews, owing to his sense of humor, thoughtful advice, and generosity. And no one can forget his devotion to his Dobermanns. He will be deeply missed.


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