Dr. Harold W. Fisher

DR. Harold W. Fisher, 78, of Kingston, RI, passed away Friday, November 16, 2007 at West Jersey Hospital, Voorhees, NJ. He was the beloved husband of Lynda Mikki Heathcock-Lewis Fisher and was formerly married for 52 years to the late Doris Stockdale Fisher. Born in Galt, Ontario, Canada he was the son of the late Harold W. and Florence W. McCullough Fisher. Dr. Fisher was professor emeritus of the University of Rhode Island, having taught biochemistry, biophysics, chemistry and electron microscopy for 40 years prior to his retirement in 2003. During his years at the university, he served as department chairman and also conducted extensive scientific research, receiving numerous grants for his cancer research. Additionally, he consulted at the U.S. Naval Underwater Station in Groton, Connecticut, concerning the use of the hyperbaric pressure chamber and its effect on skin cell growth. Early in his career, Dr. Fisher and his scientific mentor, Dr. Robley Williams, of the University of California, co-authored a book titled, ?An Electron Microscopic Atlas of Viruses?, whose unique clarity of virus cells make it?s use still the choice for many new textbooks today. Harold Fisher?s church family was Newport Community Church, where he was both loved and admired for his quiet reassuring wisdom and his loyalty to family. His interests were many, and he busied himself with all that was beautiful, including gardening, oil painting and marquetry. As an avid collector, his collection of stereography and antiques grew. Dr. Fisher loved to travel, and was looking forward to warm winters in Florida.He is survived by his wife Lynda Fisher, three daughters, Sandra Fisher of Coventry, RI, Deborah Fisher of Coventry, RI and Abiah Fisher, who lives at home with her parents, two stepchildren, Amanda Lewis of Rumford, RI and James Lewis, Jr. and his wife Cristina serving with the U.S. Army in Germany, six grandchildren, his sister, Nancy Fisher Klinglile and husband Beverly of Ontario, Canada and his brother Robert Fisher and his wife Barbara Rein of Seattle, WA. His funeral will be held on Thursday, November 29, 2007, in celebration of his 79th birthday, at 10:00am in Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. Burial will be in private. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, November 28 from 4-7pm in the Memorial Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to The Matthew Siravo Memorial Foundation, PO Box 5300, Wakefield, RI 02880.