Mac Ray Fisher

Judge Mac R. Fisher of Riverside, California passed away on Friday, July 15, 2022 after a short but valiant battle with lung cancer. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Gretchen; sons, Erik and Kiel; daughters-in-law, Lauren and Jacqueline; and six beloved grandchildren, Andrew, Luke, Ella, Quinn, Ian, and Isla.

Judge Fisher was born on August 26, 1952 in Lompoc, California as the oldest child of Mack and Mary Fisher. At the time of his birth, his father was in the U.S. Army, stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base; Judge Fisher’s early years were spent moving frequently due to his father’s military career. When he was 8 years-old, his father retired from the Army and the family settled in Lompoc. Judge Fisher remained there through high school. After a short time at Hancock Junior College in Santa Maria, he accepted a baseball scholarship to the University of California at Riverside (UCR). While at UCR, he met Gretchen, and the two were married February 21, 1976 in Riverside.

Judge Fisher received a bachelor’s degree in political science from UCR and, after a short stint as a computer salesman, attended law school at Western State University. After receiving his J.D., he accepted a position as a litigation associate at Thompson & Colegate. His ambition and talent soon led him and former Judge Doug Weathers to form their own personal injury law firm. A talented litigator and tireless advocate, Judge Fisher left the firm in 1998 to become in-house counsel for State Farm Insurance. The transition allowed him to focus on his true love, his family. The new position provided him with the opportunity to coach his sons in baseball and travel around the country to watch them play.

After the completion of his sons’ college (Erik) and professional (Kiel) baseball careers, Judge Fisher was ready to take on a new challenge. He also desired an opportunity to serve the community of Riverside. He applied for a judgeship and was appointed in 2007. Since that time, Judge Fisher has been a fixture on the bench. He served in both the criminal and civil divisions and presided over countless trials and hearings. His commitment to this esteemed position and dedication to justice was in accord with his life-long commitment to excellence. Judge Fisher personified professionalism and approached each trial with discernment and wisdom. He will be sorely missed by all his colleagues.

While service as a judge was of utmost importance to him, Judge Fisher’s top priorities were unquestionably his faith and his family. He and his wife are long-time members of the Grove Community Church, and his life was a testament of his faith. He was also wholly committed to his family. His wife Gretchen was beloved and cherished, and they created countless memories centered around their children and grandchildren, travel, golf, their goldendoodle Zeke, and the pursuit of the perfect bottle of wine. His sons remember him for his absolute commitment to their mom and unyielding love of baseball. To his grandchildren, he will be remembered as a golf-loving grandpa who would drop anything to spend time with them.

Mac Fisher was a man of God, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a dedicated grandfather. He was one of a kind and was loved and admired by all who met him. His family is comforted by the assurance that they will someday be together again.

The life of Judge Mac Fisher will be celebrated at a memorial service on August 30, 2022. From 2:00 - 5:00 PM. at Victoria Country Club. In lieu of a gift of flowers, please consider a donation to The Salvation Army or the Fisher House Foundation.