Robert Terrance "Terry" Fisher

The family of Robert Terrance Fisher, "The Fish", 75, a long-time resident of San Clemente, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2024 in San Juan Capistrano, California. Terry is predeceased by his parents Robert Lewis Fisher and Alice Bonnie Fisher, along with Susan (Wilson) Gottardi, his sister. Terry is survived by his life partner Julia Dix, his brother Richard Fisher (Claire), and daughters Lacy Alice and Kaylee Lynne Fisher as well as his loving nieces and nephews.
Terry was born May 11, 1948 in Tucson, Arizona. He was raised in Pasadena, California and spent many of his summers in San Clemente. His love for, and the magic of San Clemente, would eventually lure him back as an adult where he would raise his family.
Twenty-year-old Terry, enlisted in the US Army on September 10, 1968, and shortly thereafter he was sent to Vietnam where he served his country from 1968-1970. There was no desk job waiting in Vietnam for Terry. His job was operating in the jungle as a Forward Observer, often times being put in harm's way. His letters home often spoke compassionately for the children of Vietnam and the senselessness of war. Yet, he believed that even though it was a mistake for America to have entered the war, America could not abandon the South Vietnamese until such time that they could defend themselves. He also told his mother not to worry, that the son who was sent to war would be the same son coming home, but a lot wiser and a more confident person. Terry rarely if ever, talked about Vietnam after returning, and he would never claim to have been a hero, but Terry was in the truest sense of the word - a hero.
Returning home, Terry graduated from Cal State University, Fullerton with a degree in business. He worked in several retail sports stores where his love for the outdoors and his eye for business led him to becoming a Sales Representative beginning his career at Hansen Ski boots. Shortly after marrying his wife Patti (Sebek) Fisher (whom they share 2 daughters), Terry's ability "to sell Ice to Eskimos" along with his nuanced ability to accomplish and understand business, would lead him to start his own Rep Agency, Fisher Sales. They and the "Fisher Sales" crew he established would go on to represent many companies in the snow, surf, and ski sectors. You could call Terry one of the early pioneers in the business. Some of their lines included: Hansen Boots, Atomic skis, Thule, San Marco Boots, Volant Skis, Descente, Quiksilver/Pirate Surf, Roxy Eyewear, Smith, Bolle', and Bauer.
His love for people and his uncanny ability to transform customers into friends, earned him their confidence. Humor was one of the many tools in Terry's selling arsenal, from his good-natured laugh, to his personalized license plate-TRSTME1.
Along with active sports in the Orange County area, Terry was an avid skier and played Rugby for the Newport Rugby Club for many years. He made numerous friendships that lasted his entire life. Fish loved to tell stories and as the years went by, his rugby story exploits tended to grow, much like Pinocchio's nose. The funny and endearing thing was this made Fish's stories even better. They will forever be remembered, according to his dear friends, as "Fish Tales".
Julia Dix joined Terry's life over a decade ago, sharing a wonderful and loving life together.
Terry leaves behind a legacy of compassion and kindness to those that knew him well and a lifetime of love for his daughters, Lacy and Kaylee. Lacy was born with a disability called Rett Syndrome. The tireless love, compassion, and endless care that Terry, Patti, Kaylee, and John have showered Lacy, could make for a best- selling movie. Terry surely loved his girls. The Army Vet who played Rugby and was frankly a man's man, was truly a soft, tenderhearted Teddy Bear.
All of us who knew Terry had the pleasure of witnessing a life well lived of a very kind and generous man. We look forward to seeing Terry again one day. Rest in Peace, Fish.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Terry's honor to either the Rett Syndrome Research Trust, in tribute to his daughter, Lacy Alice Fisher, online at reverserett.org/donate, or to the Alzheimer's Association, O.C., online at act.alz.org