Deceased June 4th, 2013

View alumni profile (log in required)
Read obituary
50th Reunion Book Entry

In Memory        

I was shocked and saddened to learn that Bill had died of terminal lung cancer. I had a long talk with him at Christmas and he seemed in good health and great spirits.

Bill Fisher, or "Moose," meant a great deal to me as a lifelong friend. He was special! He had compassion, civility, tolerance and a love for mankind. We had only one disagreement: Which was the better car, Ford or Chevy? We defined our standards on social issues, which guided us throughout our lives.

Bill and I stayed in close touch after graduation. I stayed at Bill's summer home on Lake Champlain, where he set up a woodworking shop and began a new hobby. A true Renaissance man, he also took up singing in the Waterbury Chorale. I was interested in Bill's flying experience; we enjoyed talking about Alaska when he flew there, and when I drove up the Alcan Highway.

Bill's medical advice and accurate diagnoses saved two of my children, Jenny and Glenn, from medical trauma. I called on him on other occasions for medical advice. Bill's understanding and compassion will be greatly missed, not only by me but by his professional associates. The term "that's what friends are for" certainly applies to Bill.

Bill often talked about his family and how he taught Billy--now a captain for Delta Airlines--how to fly. Barbara wrote that the family was together at the end. I hope to meet all his children someday.

 Reflect for a moment about friendships formed at Amherst. The Senior Song's words "bound by ties that cannot sever" have real meaning. Bill Fisher and I were strangers once. I hope that I enriched his life as much as he did mine. The world is a better place because of Dr. Bill Fisher. His wife, family and I will miss "The Moose."

Guy W. Wilbor '54


50th Reunion

WilliamFisher54a.png
After graduation I, Bill Fisher, nicknamed "Moose" as a freshman, attended Tufts University Medical School.

I enlisted in the United States Navy, Ensign 1995 Program in 1956, which guaranteed that I would not be drafted into service as a doctor until after my internship year.

During summers, I was on active duty. The Navy did their best to attract me to consider a career. I served on the Orthopedic service at the Chelsea Naval Hospital.

That experience was very enjoyable and convinced me to specialize in Orthopedic Surgery. I spent time on a carrier, destroyer, submarine and a week with the U.S. Marines at Camp Lejeune.

In July 1958, I began a straight surgical internship at the Genesse Hospital, Rochester New York, continuing a year of surgical residency in July of'59 at the University of Rochester Medical Center, ending in December of 1959.

I was accepted at the New York Orthopedic Hospital, part of Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, starting in January 1960.

A very important event occurred in November of 1958. Barbara Lesser and I married and we remain happy and in love after 44 years!

WilliamFisher54b.png
During internship, I made $80.00 a month plus room and board. Barbara and I lived in Leonia, New Jersey from January 1960 through December of '63. I commuted by bus to New York Orthopedic Hospital, where my pay rose to the unbelievable sum of $2,500.00 annually.

Billy and Nancy arrived during Orthopedic Residency. Wendy was born in Waterbury, Ct. in August of 1964.

Bill is a Delta Airlines Captain and graduated from Amherst in 1983. Barbara and I are blessed with two male grandkids and four female grandkids. Except for Bill, who is based in Atlanta, the others are close so we see them often.

I was a private pilot for years, amassing 3,470 hours in a variety of aircraft including gliders.

I retired from Orthopedics in December of 2002. Orthopedics is glorified carpentry, so I have switched from "carving" people to woodworking and carving birds of prey.

Through the years, I have enjoyed sailing, skiing, golf, tennis, gardening, boating, fishing and hunting.

In addition to a great education, 1 enjoyed four years on Amherst's crew. If I had it to do over, I would not take so much science.

WilliamFisher54c.png
A lot of what we learned and was taught to us in the early 50's, is not true now. The same thing happened to me in medical school and residency programs. Advancements have outmoded thinking in the 50's and 60's. I was an instructor of Anatomy at the University of Rochester Medical School from July '59 to late December '59. Being an M.D. and not a PHd., I was able to make anatomy more interesting for the first year students. They came to me and wrote notes to thank me and encouraged me to consider teaching. I have enjoyed teaching residents, nurses and have taught anatomy at Columbia, Yale and U.Conn. in addition to the University of Rochester.

Photography has been a long interest of mine. However, I have stayed away from digital techniques.

I am happy that Amherst has eliminated fraternities.

I was proud to serve on the Admissions Committee of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons, winding up as Chairman of the both committees. The Orthopedic Academy covered the New England states plus Quebec, New Brunswick and the Maritime Provinces in Canada.

The College of Surgeons concerned the State of Connecticut only.

I will be unable to attend the reunion, but I wish you all the best.

Stay healthy and remain busy.