Albert L. Fisher

Albert LeRoy Fisher, 98, joined his beloved Dot in their heavenly home on June 17,2024 . Al, or Roy, as he was called by family and friends of his youth, was born Sept 5, 1925, in Meadow Utah, to Albert Hyrum and Alta Jane Beckstrand Fisher. He married Dorothy Bishop in the SL Temple on July 16, 1950. He considers that to be his greatest achievement.. Dad spent many of his summers in Meadow, Utah , which he considered home, even though most of the time he lived in Salt Lake City . Dad attended Granite High School where he graduated early. He then enlisted in the US army a age 17, and was shipped overseas to join General Patton’s army, fighting to preserve the freedom we all still enjoy. He served with all his heart, earning a combat infantry badge and expert an marksmanship badge. He also was the recipient of a bronze star for valiency. He fought in 3 of the major European campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge. With his passing, a grandson commented that we just lost another national treasure, and it is so.

When dad returned from Europe he took a brief break and then went back to Europe to serve a mission in the Netherlands for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While on his mission he was part of the initiative to send potatoes from the Netherlands to Germany to feed the starving German people there. In less than a year's time he went from being shot at by the Germans to trying to help save their lives. He was grateful for that opportunity.

● Dad took his undergraduate degree from the University of Utah, then got his masters and PhD from John’s Hopkins in Baltimore, Md in political science/geography. While at John’s Hopkins he was recruited by the CIA .Being a commissioned naval intelligence officer in the US Navy reserves, this opportunity to serve his country dovetailed well and appealed to him. He spent 3 years in and out of SE Asia while we lived on Saipan . Dad then accepted an offer from BYU to get the Department of Geography up and running. After a year there he was hired on by the University of Utah. He spent the rest of his career as a professor of political and cultural geography at the U. Go Utes! He even earned a runner up Emmy award for his Utah geography class’s program on small towns in Utah. He was a pioneer in bringing video classes to the department . He also served many years as head of the geography department. He took a 1 year sabbatical in the mid 60’s to serve as vice president and to help get the College of the Virgin Islands on the island of St Thomas up and running. It is now a full fledged University, which pleased him immensely. Dad was president of Rocky Mountain Sciences, national president of Phi Kappa Phi,and President of Western Social Sciences association, and Pres of the Board of DIRECTORS OF THE UTAH Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters ‘……He served his church as a missionary to the Netherlands as a young man and then again with his Dot as they went back to the Netherlands/Dutch speaking Belgium mission as a senior couple. He served his church in many capacities. Among his favorites were gospel doctrine teacher and serving as a bishop.

At the time of his death he was a member of the Morningside Branch at Spring Gardens in Holladay, and he still claimed membership in the Salt Lake Valley View 12th ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Al/Roy is survived by his children Geri Richards (Doug), Barbara Olsen (Steve) and Doug (Terrie), 14 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and his brother, Gerald (Helene ). He was preceded in death by his beloved Dorothy and by a grandson, Scott Olsen. Also by sisters Carol Hintze, Wanda Marz, Beula Marz and 3 yr old sister Leila whom he never met.

We would like to give our heartfelt thanks and love to all of the residents and caretakers at Spring Gardens in Holladay. You were truly a part of dad’s family and will always be so. Dad received world class care at Spring Gardens and he loves all of you with all his heart. And that goes for his nurses from Inspiration Hospice and Signature Home Health as well. You are the best.

● A viewing will be held Saturday July 13 from 9-10:40 followed by a funeral at 11:00 at the Valley View 12th ward chapel on 2125 E Evergreen Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah 84109. Burial will follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of sending flowers, we would invite you to make a donation to the charity or your choice , or to do a good deed for someone in need.

Burial will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Cemetery following the funeral.

An obituary can be found at

dignitymemorial.com

The funeral services will be live at

htps://youtube.com/live/gQqqioAJ6iM?feature=share

https://www.youtube.com/live/gQqqioAJ6iM?si=GLYxaOvP7dzIzr1Y

Or the Salt Lake Valley View Stake YouTube channel

https://youtube.com/@saltlakevalleyviewstake?si=ChGu3SMQ2ddolKZr