Charles Roger Fischer

1939 - 2024

Charles Roger Fischer February 2, 1939 - October 15, 2024 Charles "Roger" Fischer, of Thorp, passed away peacefully in Ellensburg on October 15th with his family at his side. Roger was born on February 6th, 1939 in Ellensburg, the third of seven children of Paul and Adeline Fischer (Bennett).

Roger's childhood included a brief time in Seattle, but the family moved back to Thorp when he was still very young. Roger attended Lourdes Academy in elementary school and graduated from Thorp High School in 1958. He loved trains (and pretty much anything with an engine) and spent time watching the trains or going down to the bridge - if you know where to look can still see his initials there. His younger years include many stories of fixing things, having the right tools and mechanical know how to help someone out and never shying away from a challenge. His interest in all things structural and mechanical combined with his strong work ethic, generosity and sense of humor were a consistent theme throughout his life.

After high school, Roger worked with his brothers at Fischer Electric, his father's store. He also was quite the car enthusiast. During his life, he owned a Ford Model A, a 1950 Studebaker and a 1961 Studebaker Hawk. He took great pride in caring for his cars and was always willing to give someone a ride, especially the ladies. He used to offer all the girls a ride to dances in town and was told by some of the other men there, "thank goodness you showed up - there were no girls before you got here!" He also helped out as a scout master for the Boy Scouts and applied his plumbing and innovation skills to this role. One time Roger made a water heater using his plumbing skills and scrap materials so the troop could have hot water for their camping trip. The water heater was a huge success and just one example of Roger's creativity and talent.

Roger was drafted into the US Army during the Berlin Crisis. He drove an armored personnel carrier and was an avid letter writer, and thus received many letters in response. He gained a reputation as "the solder who received the most mail" and enjoyed staying connected to those back home. He returned to Thorp about 2 years later and after his required 2 years service in Active Reserve, he decided to remain in the Army Reserve until his retirement in 1995 with the title of Sergeant First Class. He also went back to work at Fischer Electric, which had evolved into an appliance and hardware store. Roger's main responsibility was managing inventory, but he really ended up running the store due to his attention to detail, excellent memory and rapport with customers. He and his brother Jerrold bought an apartment building together on Kittitas Street and worked together to fix it up and went into business together. Roger continued to manage the apartments after Jerrold moved to Los Angeles and acquired several other properties that he managed throughout his life.

Roger was an active member of several fraternal organizations, including the Knights of Columbus and the Moose Lodge. One evening while at the Moose, his mother Adeline encouraged him to "go ask that pretty girl to dance". That girl was Ellen Anderson. One dance turned into more dances and many dates. Roger and Ellen were married on June 16th, 1968 at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Ellensburg. They moved into their first home in Ellensburg on Anderson Road and started a family. Roger started working at Central Washington University as a plumber. Family life provided new opportunities for Roger to solve problems and use his plumbing and construction talents. In the early 80s, Roger and Ellen purchased his late Grandparent's home in Thorp, where they raised their family and built a beautiful life together.

He also co-owned a 1915 Case Steam Engine with his family. They ran it in the Ellensburg Rodeo Parade for many years and Roger was a member of the Kittitas Valley Early Iron Club. Oney year, Roger and his father took the Steam Engine to run in a parade in California with his brother Jerrold. He was an exhibitor at the Olmstead Park Threshing Bee and loved seeing the other antique equipment and educating others about these impressive machines.

Roger and Ellen attended church at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cle Elum and were very fond of their time with the community there. The Rosary was his favorite prayer and he had a strong devotion to our Blessed Mother. He also had deep reverence for the deceased. He typically spent Memorial Day making flower arrangements from his vast garden and taking his family to all the cemeteries in Kittitas County to show respect for loved ones that had passed, paying special attention and respect to veterans.

During retirement, he continued to manage his rentals, but found time to enjoy several cruises with his wife Ellen and travel to visit children, grandchildren and other extended family. He also spent much of his time with members of the Kittitas Valley Veterans association, where he made many more friends and memories.

In everything he did, Roger demonstrated quiet strength, optimism and a sense of humor. His amazing work ethic and positive attitude left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered. Roger was very well known in the community and quite the social butterfly. As the saying goes, he "never met a stranger" and could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. He was a great historian and could turn a drive into Ellensburg into a detailed tour of the past. Roger could tell you specifics about every street and building in Ellensburg as though it was yesterday. He volunteered at Frontier Village at the Kittitas County Fair for several years and helped share the valley's history with countless fair attendees.

There was no job too big or small for Roger to tackle. He did everything with a smile and took great pride in his work. Even in his final days, he kept his sense of humor and remarkable memory of the smallest details. His knowledge, experience and unique approach to problems have impacted too many people to list. He will be missed beyond measure and leaves behind family and friends that are forever changed for the better because of knowing him.

Roger was preceded in death by his wife Ellen, his parents, Paul and Adeline Fischer, his brothers Joseph Fischer, Steve Fischer and Jerome (Ellie) Fischer. He is survived by his sister Pat (Bill) Swain, and brothers Jerrold (Christine) Fischer and Greg (Lynda) Fischer, daughters Andrea (John) Morse, Christina (John) Webber, Roger (Amber) Fischer, his grandchildren Kevin (McKenzie) Morse, Jason (Shannan) Morse, Felix, Odin and Valkyrie Webber, and great grandchildren Brooklyn, Tristan, Dayton, Garrett, and Lennon Morse, and Ashley McCombs, in addition to large number of nieces and nephews. He was especially close to his niece Gina Higgs and nephews Doug and Robert Brown.

Services to honor Roger are as follows:

1. Friday, November 1st - Viewing at Brookside Funeral Home (500 E Mountain View, Ellensburg) from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, followed by the Rosary

2. Saturday, November 2nd - Mass at St. John the Baptist Parish (303 W 2nd Street, Cle Elum) 10:00 am, followed by graveside service at Holy Cross Cemetery in Ellensburg and reception at 1:00 pm at Sweetwater Ranch (1371 Charlton Rd, Ellensburg)

Memorial donations may be made to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (address above) or St Jude Children's Research Center