James Arthur "Jim" Fischer M.D.

1940 - 2017

James "Jim" Arthur Fischer, M.D., a Sacramento cardiologist for the past 43 years, died Sept. 8, 2017, in Sacramento. He was 77. Dr. Fischer was born June 15, 1940, in Huron, S.D., to the Rev. Arthur J. and Lenora M. Fischer. He graduated from Linton High School in North Dakota with a track scholarship to the University of Minnesota where he won the 440-yard Big Ten championship in 1961 and graduated in 1962. Dr. Fischer then pursued a career in medicine graduating from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1966. He served in the U.S. Army from 1972-74 as a major and Chief of Cardiology at Fort Ord Army Hospital in Monterey. Upon completion of service to his country, Dr. Fischer moved his family to Sacramento and joined the Medical Clinic of Sacramento where he practiced Internal Medicine and Cardiology for almost 10 years before establishing a private practice at 5301 F St. in Sacramento. He joined Foundation Health in 1993 where he practiced until his first retirement in April 1996. Seven years later he was asked to come out of retirement to join the staff at the University of California, Davis Medical School-Cardiovascular Division. He taught in the Cardiovascular Fellowship Program. Dr. Fischer loved life and was passionate about many things. Running was a lifelong passion of his that spanned from his early days as a state champion high school track star to jogging up to five miles a day until his death. He completed more than 36 marathons including six Boston Marathon and numerous 5 and 10K races. He also loved golf, skiing, tennis, kayaking, bird watching and photography, recently completing an album of photos of all 50 state capitol buildings. Dr. Fischer is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Karen (Knudsen) Fischer; two daughters, Elizabeth Uliana of Sacramento and Susan (Travis) Mann of San Clemente; one granddaughter, Kathryn Jane Uliana of Sacramento; two sisters, Geraldine (Curt) Walther of Liberty, Mo., and Sharon (Allen) Van Beek of Edina, Minn.; one brother, Robert (Colleen) Fischer of Springfield, Mo.; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews throughout the country. He was preceded in death by his parents the Rev. Arthur J. and Lenora M. Fischer of Linton, N.D. A Celebration of Life will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, at Fremont Presbyterian Church, 5770 Carlson Dr., Sacramento. The public is welcome. In honor of his legacy as an outstanding clinician with tremendous sensitivity and compassion for his patients, a fund has been established in Dr. Fischer's name to benefit the Cardiovascular Fellowship Program. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation payable to the UC Davis Foundation, to the James A. Fischer M.D., Cardiovascular Fellowship Education and Research Fund, 4900 Broadway, Ste. 1150, Sacramento, CA, 95820, or donate online: https://give.ucdavis.edu/go/FischerMemorial. Donations are tax deductible.