Irving Fishman

1937 - 2023

Irving Fishman
June 13, 1937 - January 8, 2023
Irving George Fishman died at his home in San Francisco on January 8th 2023 at the age of 85 after living with Parkinson's Disease for 26 years. Beloved husband of Joyce and father of Doron, Irving was a native of New York City but made San Francisco his home for 60 years. He grew up in the Bronx, New York, went to Bronx High School of Science and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the City University of New York in 1958.
During a two year stint in the Army Corps of Engineers in Fort Belvoir Virginia, Irving taught road construction and geology. After the army, Irving returned to New York City to pick up his wife-to-be, Joyce Kramer, and they embarked on a six week camping trip across Canada to San Francisco where they settled.
Irving was a man with endless curiosity and a love for learning. He obtained two teaching credentials from San Francisco State University and as a student, worked as a researcher at a brine shrimp company where he was subsequently hired. He worked in research and development, operations and management until he left in 1978 to settle on a kibbutz in Israel with his family.
On the kibbutz, Irving used his scientific knowledge to grow Amaryllis bulbs for export and had various other jobs including working in the kibbutz electronics factory and raising chickens. After seven years, the family moved back to the United States and Irving resumed his research studies at San Francisco State University and received his MA in Marine Biology in 1988. He went on to become a science and math teacher at Ida B. Wells High School and continued there until his diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease forced him to retire
Irving was endlessly inquisitive and a voracious reader. He had an extensive collection of books and when he traveled overseas, he would find the nearest English bookstore and leave with one or several books. Sports was another lifelong passion. He was an avid runner, joining the DSE Fun Runs on Sundays, many Bay to Breakers races, and several marathons. He also loved softball which led him to start a team on the kibbutz as well as help organize the softball league in Israel. A diehard New York Giants fan, he was delighted when his hometown team moved to San Francisco. One of the great thrills of his baseball-fan life was when, on his 75th birthday, he watched from the stands as Matt Cain pitched a perfect game in 2012.
When Irving retired from teaching, he returned to SF State University and took courses on religion, and Egyptology and became involved in theatre arts where he acted in and helped adapt Yiddish plays.
A remembrance of Irving will be held in the summer 2023; details to come. If you would like to make a donation in Irving's name, please do so to one of the several Parkinson Disease organizations or the San Francisco Library. Irving will be deeply missed by the family he adored and who adored him. He is survived by his wife and son and his many devoted relatives and friends.