Marilyn King Fisher

Marilyn graduated from Quincy high school and attended classes at Syracuse University and San Diego State University, and was proud to be the first woman to receive transferable college credits from the United States Naval Academy after receiving permission from the Superintendent to attend classes with the midshipmen while stationed there with her first husband. She received BS, MS and PHD degrees from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Upon receiving her PHD in Psychology from U of M, she was honored to be retained as a professor where she taught courses in business and psychology. While a professor, Marilyn established her own consulting business, working with school systems throughout the state of Michigan and with the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Senate Committees. In later life, Marilyn was granted an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

Marilyn left academia to join Ford Motor Company in Detroit in the 1970’s. As Director of contemporary marketing programs, she was one of the first to use market segmentation studies to develop cars that would appeal to certain buyer types, such as to women and the elderly. She introduced new Ford vehicles to the press around the world, presented at the Automotive News World Congress, and appeared on many radio and television shows, including The Today Show and Good Morning America. She also wrote a monthly column for Vogue Magazine entitled “Women and Cars”.

Marilyn left Ford in 1983 to join her second husband, Bob Fisher, as an entrepreneur. Marilyn and Bob were known to be an inseparable couple as they worked closely together on leveraged buyouts and new business startups. Marilyn focused on business planning and operational reviews of many businesses they were involved with, often drawing upon her psychology background. The companies they worked with spanned many industries and included automotive parts and accessories manufacturing, aircraft turbine engine overhauling, disposable medical products, pharmacy automation and robotics products and services. Over their 35 years together, the couple had residences in Ann Arbor, MI, Pebble Beach, CA, Key Largo, FL, Naples Florida, and Paris, France.

Marilyn was a member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux Naples and was a strong supporter of Bordeaux and its wines, having been presented the Diplome d’Honneur and named an Ambassador of the Grand Crus Classes of 1855. She was a member of a number of clubs and associations, including Bay Colony Golf Club, Naples Yacht Club, Ocean Reef Club, Card Sound Golf Club, The Angler’s Club, Monterey Peninsula Golf Club, Golf de Saint-Germain (Paris) and The Monaco Yacht Club. She was a former chair of the board of trustees of the Monterey Institute of International Studies and donated to the Robert and Marilyn Fisher School of International Business. She was a major donor to the American Hospital in Paris, among many other causes.

Marilyn lived her life to the fullest, and enjoyed sharing life’s joys with everyone around her. She knew no stranger and had friends around the world whom she considered her family. Open, kind, and generous, she easily connected with people of all backgrounds and was always thinking of ways to help others. Incredibly witty, Marilyn was always ready with a funny joke and imbued her warmth on others with her infectious laugh and always positive outlook. She believed strongly in the importance of education and worked closely with the Community School of Naples, where she founded the King Language Study Center in her late son’s memory.

Having worked as a lifeguard as a teenager, she enjoyed swimming and boating her entire life, cruising the Caribbean and Mediterranean in her later years. An Animal Lover, Marilyn traveled with her African Grey Parrots. She was an excellent cook, had an entire library of cook books, and loved planning parties and events where she created fun for others. She loved music of all types and played the guitar and piano over the years. A follower of fashion, Marilyn consummately dressed the way she treated other people: elegantly.

Marilyn is survived by her husband Robert L. Fisher, her granddaughter, Isabelle

King and brother, David Peterson. Her only child, Dayn M. King, preceded her in death in 1997. She will also be greatly missed by her second family, Bob and Donna Fisher, Sarah Fisher and Lisa; grandchildren, Nick, Elizabeth, Abbie, Sean, Lily and great granddaughter, Marley. She also considered her greater family to include, Timothy and Susanna Kinsella, their son Captain Timothy Kinsella, Jr. and family and their daughter Leah.