Richard Eric Fish

1950 - 2023

Richard Eric Fish
October 11, 1950 - March 11, 2023
Raleigh, North Carolina - Richard Eric Fish, DVM, Ph.D
Rick Fish, 72, passed away on Saturday, March 11, 2023, after being struck by a car while riding his bike. He was born on October 11, 1950, in Newark, NJ. Rick is survived by his wife and best friend, Margaret (Peg) Hogan of Raleigh, his sister, Susan Krager of Cape Carteret, NC, nephew Joseph Krager and wife Crystal Tay Krager, niece Jessica Krager Robinson and husband Matt Robinson, all of Raleigh, stepsons Brian Grove and his wife, Miranda of Columbia, MO and Neil Grove and his wife, Anitra of Hillsborough, NC. He is also survived by two grandnieces and five step grandchildren. Rick is predeceased by his mother, Elisabeth Hewlett Fish and father, Harwood Eric Fish, and nephew Jason Krager.
Rick held an undergraduate degree from Cornell, an MS degree from Rutgers, and a doctorate in veterinary medicine and a PhD from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He retired in 2018 after a long tenure on faculty at NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. Rick was a many-faceted man and took pleasure from many different things. He loved teaching, mentoring and advocating for others. He helped to mold and promote the careers of countless veterinary professionals at the University of Missouri, Columbia and in the Research Triangle Lab Animal Residency Program. He was a fierce defender of anyone who was treated unfairly and was fondly known for his wicked red pen when reviewing research papers and editing professional texts. Upon retirement, he became a volunteer at the Wake Tech Community College Beltline Center, where he was known as a kind and patient tutor. Rick was also a skilled cocktail mixer and barbecue master who reveled in serving up wicked margaritas and the most mouth-watering ribs and steaks you'll ever eat. Rick also had a great appreciation for local microbrews, as he and Peg were in pursuit of completing their Raleigh Beer Trail passport. He was a skilled sailboat captain and he and Peg loved spending many hours together sailing their boat, the SV MUGSY. He was an avid sailor, bicyclist and hiker. His dog and pal, Snoopy, always stayed close by him on the boat and on the trails. Rick, and his signature mustache, will be sadly missed and fondly remembered. An informal celebration of life gathering will be held later in the spring.
Condolences may be sent via the Thomas Funeral Home website at www.thomasfuneral.com