Ferry F. Fischer
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
– Irish proverb
Dr. Ferry F. Fischer, known to all as a “gentle soul” passed away September 22, 2013. He is survived by his four children, Denise, Patrick (Barbara), Colleen, Kimberly (Robert). Eight grand-children and nine great grand-children. Dr. Fischer was born January 23rd, 1925 in Hebron, North Dakota. Dr. Fischer was a lover of his family (which included two sisters and one brother), hard work, the Navy and education.
Dr. Fischer was a graduate of Hebron High School in 1943. After graduation the military life began calling him and in June 1943 he 
joined the United States Naval Department; serving actively and honorably in WWII and the Korean War. It was during his service in the military he was stationed in Seattle Washington. He accepted room and board from a friendly family looking to help soldiers who were away from their homes. He got lucky when the Bevin’s’ family welcomed him into their home. It was there that he met their oldest daughter and his future wife name Patricia. Patricia and Ferry enjoyed a fast but loving courtship and were married May 31st, 1946. Their family would quickly grow beyond just the two of them with the arrival of their first daughter Denise who was followed by their only son Patrick. Two more daughters, Colleen and Kim would follow a few years later.
Education was very important to Ferry. In 1951 he graduated with his Bachelors’ degree from Seattle University. Between 1952 and 1960 he proudly taught grades 4-6 at Gregory Heights, White Center Heights and Sunny Terrace. Dr. Fischer’s life got even busier still when he graduated from the University of Washington with his Master’s degree in Administration Supervision and in 1970 graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with his Ed. D. During his educational experiences Dr. Fischer took the leadership role as principal in the Highline School District. His role as principal at Evergreen and Highline High Schools would prove to be a life- long career choice. He would serve as a well known, much loved and highly awarded principal in the Highline school district until his retirement in 1990.
Dr. Fischer did not just lend his compassion to his work in the Highline school district. He was also an active member of the community. Dr. Fischer served as a member of Highline Head start Steering Committee, a board member of S.O.U.N.D., and a member of St. Philomena Church. In 1985 Seattle University School of Education celebrated its 50th anniversary. The school chose 50 of its previous graduates whom they felt should be recognized through their profession and made a difference in the lives of others. The university recognized Dr. Fischer’s work at Highline High School. Previous to this award, in 1983 he was awarded Educator of The Year. The Highline School District had interviewed fellow teachers and students and all described him as, “firm, flexible, fair and always forgiving”. To many of his students he became known as the man of “mild steel” – he bends but never breaks.
Dr. Fischer’s academic and career accomplishments are many but his greatest accomplishment is the memory of what a wonderful brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend he was. He was a father who taught his children how to be the best they could be, he was a husband who loved unconditionally, a brother who never said no to a family trip back to North Dakota and he was a grandpa who loved waking his grandchildren up with chocolate chip pancakes, despite the angry looks he would get from his wife due to their lack of nutritional value. He always enjoyed camping, hiking and fishing with his son and grandson’s. He enjoyed taking his family to the lake in the summer and traveling both in the United States and Europe. He looked forward to his poker nights with his friends and other retired principals and enjoyed weekend visits with family friends. He touched every life that crossed his path and made every life better.
Dr. Fischer will be greatly missed but forever loved and in our hearts.
The Fischer Family would like to thank the Odyssey Hospice for the angels they sent to help our Dad and Family through this time. Also would like to thank the Evergreen Park Assisted Living Home for their gentle care.
There will be a memorial at the Normandy Park Cove Oct.24th from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.
Family requests in lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to Gentiva Hospice Donation: website, http://www.
Mail donation check to:
Gentiva Hospice Foundation
7801 Mesquite Bend Drive, Suite 105
Irving, TX 75063
7 Responses to “Ferry F. Fischer”
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My sincere condolences to all the family. Mr. Fischer was our neighbor growing up with my three sisters. He and his wife were beloved by all four of us and our parents. I have many memories of him that I treasure. His son Patrick continues to be a close friend. God Bless him and keep him and Patty close and help the family with his loss. Chris
Dr Fisher was my principal at Evergreen High School and my husband’s at Highline High School. A true gentlemen and forever giving of his time. A great educator to many.
Thoughts and Prayers to his family
Debbie and Jim Wickham — sons Brandon and Ben
Ferry was my principal for several years at Highline HS. He was a gentleman at all times and was always willing to listen. He saw us through the less than pleasant remodeling of the school – a job no one would wish on anyone. I have many fond memories of Ferry including some good laughs chaperoning the band and choir at Victoria Days in Canada. I also always think of him pulling notecards out of his pocket to take notes for followups. That was a great system I learned from him. My condolences to the Fischer family – you lost a wonderful man but his memory will continue in the thousands of lives he touched.
Although miles kept us apart, you were always in my heart. I love you big brother.
Lynn
I have very fond memories of Dr. Fischer as my principal at Highline High School in the mid-1980s. He was kind, personable, and a good leader. When I saw him, spontaneously, at a restaurant just a few years ago, he instantly remembered my name. I was very impressed! May God give your family the peace, comfort, and strength that only comes from Him!
My brother Ferry and I did a lot of fishing together. Often before school classes began, we would put our set lines in the Hebron Dam. After school, the caught fish were put on a stringer. Normally we fished until dark.
At the Hebron dump grounds we collected aluminum, copper and other things of value. We would sell it to the local junk dealer. We would get an average of 50 cents to a dollar. Other kids around town were doing the same thing.
One day at the dump grounds, we were looking for saleable items. The ground was covered with a gray ash. We started to walk on it and Ferry was in the lead. Suddenly Ferry yelled that his shoes were on fire. So we hurried home. It took two weeks for his feet to heal.
On weekends we would take Ferry’s bike and pedal to the Knife River, about 20 miles north of home. We would fish all day long, and return home on Sunday. Our catch was Bullheads, Suckers and Carp. We would camp out over night and have fish for supper. We seldom returned home without fish. The area to the Knife River was quite hilly, so we pushed the bike up the hills and coasted down the other side.
In school, Ferry excelled in basketball and football. In his senior year he was rated number 1 out of the ten highest students in the state. He was drafted and was deferred in order for him to finish high school. He joined the Navy and during his 4 plus years, he advanced to Petty Officer First Class. He attended Seattle University and the U. of Washington. He received a BS, MS and PHE (Dr. of education).
Ferry had a good life and will be missed.
I married Ferry’s youngest daughter, Kim, and we lived with Ferry and Patty for a while at the Des Moines house till we got back on our feet after a couple of tough years. Married for 33 years now. Looking back, one wonders what kind of people these two were, Ferry and Patty, to actually get rid of a kid, and when they come back needing help and direction, you are welcomed with open arms, hugs, kisses, a home, and love, even with a husband! I would venture to say that would not always be the case in many households.
He helped me through many trying times in my life; often stern, always with love and care, and always with good direction that included a positive look to the future that made you understand that with self-perserverance and effort you’d come out alright. He had that care and concern about him that you always felt he was there for you no matter what – but no whining – he’d give you all the support, and all the help he could give, if you were willing to put it out yourself, and if you were willing to do that, he was behind you, and with you, 100%. If you didn’t, he had a different kind of lesson for you.
That was Ferry, partly because he lived the tough life when he was a kid, and he understood from the gitgo that nothing good comes free. Parents died when they were young; they hunted squirrels and rabbits for food; killed crows for the 25 cent bounty on them; loved school for the added feature that if they were on the sports teams they could shower at the school when they needed to. Wow, think about that – not quite like today.
I played cribbage with Ferry for decades, and we had an old board that we recorded all our games on; it added up our games, skunks, everything. And I’ll tell you something; he sure loved me – but he loved beating me at cribbage probably equally as much, make no mistake.
Well, I could go on and on, but where do ya stop? I’ll miss him alot, a very much alot; what a guy, what a father, what an everything kind of man. I realized after the gathering yesterday, when the dust was settled and my mind calmed down, that I’m really going to miss him; the world was a better place with him in it. Miss you Chief, from my heart.