Harold 'Hal' Fisher PDF Print E-mail
Written by Sentinel-Tribune Staff   
Saturday, 30 January 2010 08:59

January---Harold-FisherSALEM, Ore. - Harold Alfred Fisher was born November 4, 1921 Cleves, Iowa; and died January 24, 2010 Salem, Oregon.
Harold, or Hal as he was called by most, accomplished so much in his 88 years of life and was loved by so many. He was a farm-boy, an outstanding student, a World War II veteran, an often awarded professor, a highly regarded ordained minister, a great husband and father and a world wide traveling man.
Growing up on a farm in Iowa, Hal acquired a strong work ethic and a strong faith that were the driving force throughout his life. As soon as he graduated from high school in Ackley, Iowa in 1939, he was off and running.
He took time out to enter the Air Corps in 1941, and served his country for 5 years. He earned his Bachelors in Communication, a Bachelor of Divinity, a Masters degree in radio and television, a Masters in theology, and a PhD in Broadcasting and International Communication. Hal was also well published through papers, articles and chapters in books in the fields of journalism, international communication and broadcasting.


Hal believed that knowledge should be shared to help others become more independent. His life work is a testimony to his belief that people with the right information and the means to communicate could help create beneficial change. Fortunately his wife, Elaine, who he'd met while in seminary in San Francisco and married in 1950, shared his beliefs. As he trekked all over the Middle East and Africa, working and making a difference, she happily travelled by his side, sharing his many adventures.
Hal's career took him to Lebanon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Egypt and Liberia. He taught, trained and developed educational and religious radio and television programs. One of his many accomplishments was producing the first dramatic sound film with an all Kenyan cast while working in Kenya. Hal was also a professor at Indiana State University and Bowling Green State University. Never satisfied with just one job, he provided assistance to many grateful congregations throughout Ohio and Oregon as an interim pastor. He also wrote and was involved in leadership in the Presbyterian Church and in various universities.
When Hal retired in 1993 he and Elaine moved to Oregon to be closer to their daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren. Try as he might, he did not settle easily into retirement. He taught classes, kept up his writing and contributed chapters to books on journalism and international communication.
Hal touched many lives around the world. He was a great conversationalist, a believer in people and always ready to lend a helping hand, never satisfied with sitting still. Hal built a full, rich, experience-filled life through hard work, strong faith and a fearlessness of new adventures. Life was an exciting journey for him and he lived it fully. He was active to the end and left this world a better place because of his contributions and his leadership.
Hal passed away peacefully with family at his side, January 24th, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Elaine, daughter, Gayle, son-in law Hadley and two granddaughters, Charissa and Heather. He is also survived by his sister, Shirley Sadler, and brothers, Marvin and Lee Fisher, numerous nieces and nephews and friends around the world.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 6th, 2:00 p.m. at: Westminister Presbyterian Church, 3737 Liberty Rd S., Salem, Oregon 97302
The family suggests memorial contributions to Westminister Presbyterian Church, or Fisher Scholarship, Bowling Green State University Foundation, Inc., Bowling Green, Ohio 43403
Arrangements are by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.

 

 

 

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