Richard W. Fisher

Richard was born in Newton, MA, in 1935 and raised in Wellesley, MA and Providence, RI. He graduated from Harvard University in 1957 and did graduate work at New York University and the University of Southern California. He served in the United States Navy from 1957 to 1959, where he was assigned to Special Services in Newport, RI at the Naval Station and the Destroyer Force Atlantic Fleet. He had a 45-year career in the non-profit field with 10 different community organizations, including serving as President/CEO with three different United Ways and as Senior Vice President of the Orange County United Way. He also served as Regional Director for a national health agency covering 13 states and guided a senior citizen advocacy organization. His volunteer activities included: member of the Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions Clubs; Orange County Chamber of Commerce; and the Orange County Emergency Food and Shelter Program. In 2005-06, Richard had the distinct honor of serving as a member of the Orange County Grand Jury and as an alternate just three years later.

Richard had a storied baseball career during his high school, college and post-college years. He attended Mt. Pleasant High School in Providence, RI, where he won all-state baseball honors. But it was his academic prowess which helped him earn admission to Harvard University, where he was a standout player for three years on teams which won over 70% of its games. He drew interest from the Philadelphia Athletics on two different occasions but declined each time to fulfill his university and Navy commitments. He finished his athletic career by playing two seasons in Rhode Island’s Sunset League in 1958 and 1959 when he led his team to the league championship in both seasons. For his accomplishments, he was elected to the league’s Hall of Fame in 2016.

A 34-year resident of Irvine, Richard is survived by his wife Rena (to whom he was married for 57 years) and his son Todd.

Special acknowledgement goes to California Mission Hospice and We Care For Seniors for the caregiving services provided during Richard’s final weeks of life.