Harold K. Fischer

Harold was born at home on a farm in Lincoln County, Kansas to Oscar Fischer and Hattie née Ruehling Fischer. He was baptized by Rev. Paul Stengel on May 8, 1932 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Westfall, Kansas, and confirmed by Rev. Bickel at St. Paul’s in April, 1946. Harold was an active and faithful member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod his entire life, including Immanuel in Bremen, Kansas, Grace in McPherson, Kansas, Messiah in Oklahoma City, Holy Cross and Zion in Dallas, and Redeemer in Austin. At each church he served on many committees and boards, was an elder and lay leader, and served as President of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Austin for two terms.

Harold met his future wife, Joan Lebien, when he took a job at the Bremen Insurance Co. in Bremen, Kansas. Harold and Joan were married by Joan’s father, Rev. Walter J. F. Lebien, in Herkimer, Kansas on July 8, 1956. Their marriage was blessed with four beautiful daughters, Lori, Kelley, Peggy, and Rebecca.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Delmar and Virgil, and sister-in-law Della Winger. Harold is survived by his wife, Joan, daughters and sons-in-law, Lori Fischer, Kelley and Brent Southwell, Peggy and Kelly Joseph, and Rebecca Fischer. Harold is also survived by grandchildren, Justin Treat, Megan and Kyle Joseph, Joshua Hernandez, and Nicole Southwell; brother, Roland and Nancy Fischer, sister, Janice and Steve Stover, brother, Dennis and Kady Fischer, sister-in-law, Olsie Fischer, brother-in-law, Rev. Dr. Roger Winger, and numerous nieces and nephews.

After graduating from high school, Harold enlisted in the U.S. Army in May, 1951 during the Korean War and served in Fort Riley, Kansas, Hawaii, and Japan where he served in G2 Intelligence. He was honorably discharged in March, 1954 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. From 1954 to 1976, Harold worked for the Bremen Insurance Company, Bremen, KS; Farmers Alliance Insurance Company, McPherson, KS, Oklahoma City and Dallas; and Northwestern National in Dallas and Austin. Harold worked in various positions of underwriting, marketing, and management, managing branch offices in Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Austin. In 1976 he became a partner with Dempsey Allphin in the Association Casualty Insurance Company in Austin. He later became majority owner, President, and Director of the company and President of Association Risk Management General Agency. Harold sold those businesses in 1999 to Atlantic American Corporation. He served as a Director of Atlantic American from July 1999 until July 2010. From 1991 to 2012, Harold was also majority owner and CEO of Rumber Materials, Inc.

Harold’s life was characterized by his always positive outlook, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit. This Kansas farm boy traveled far from the farm, but never left behind the lessons of honesty, integrity, hard work, and common sense that he learned growing up. His sense of humor was ever present. He became a leader in business and mentor to many who worked for him. His retirement party from his insurance business was filled with tributes, laughter, and tears. It was said of Harold that if he were seated between a king and a ditch-digger, each would receive equal attention and regard from him.

Harold was first and foremost a man of faith in his Lord Jesus Christ. His faith and living his Christian values formed the foundation for everything else. He was not only a church leader, but led his family in regular church attendance, daily family devotions after dinner, and prayer.

He cherished his wife Joan and raised his daughters to be strong and capable women, and they in return put him firmly on a pedestal. “Anything worth doing is worth doing well” was often heard from him, along with so many other words of solid wisdom. His grandchildren benefited from his guidance and love, and will carry memories of long summer days around the swimming pool filled with hot sun, laughter, and good food. He made family vacations important and special, and family dinners were filled with stories and good times.

Harold devoured books on positive thinking and self-improvement. He loved golf and played for many years at Austin Country Club. He and Joan traveled the world by plane, cruise ship, motor home, and car, and owned a beloved vacation home in Keystone, Colorado.

His was a life well lived. He will be missed and his lasting influence felt for many years to come.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening, on Wednesday, the 19th of September 2012, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. Light refreshments will be provided by the family through Cook-Walden Funeral Home Catering Services.

A funeral service will be conducted at one o’clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 20th of September 2012, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1500 W. Anderson Lane, Austin. Interment will follow in Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery, Pflugerville, Texas.

In lieu of flowers and the customary remembrances, memorials may be sent to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas (www.redeemer.net), the American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc. (www.apdaparkinson.org), or a Parkinson disease research organization of your choice.

Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.