Steve Anthony Fischer Obituary (2023)

Stephen (Steve) Anthony Fischer, Sr., age 88, was born on March 23, 1935 in Aberdeen, South Dakota and passed away in the early hours of December 25, 2023 at Multicare-Yakima Memorial Hospital. Only a few weeks ago, he welcomed two new great-grandchildren into his extended family, proving what a sign in his office says, "My favorite people call me grandpa." A military veteran who served in Japan, Korea and England, and spent many years in the intelligence branch of the Strategic Air Command, Steve was just as honored to be considered a guide and mentor to the legion of young people he helped, whether in the Army National Guard or through Scouting. He and his wife, Peggy Lou, with whom he was still madly in love after 60-plus years of marriage, raised six children and all but adopted many more. They fed, rode herd on (and put up with the outrageous hairstyles and questionable fashion sense) of dozens of teens and young adults over many decades in various forms, including a very long stint with Troop 263 in Tieton, Washington, where Steve was the Scoutmaster, and Peggy the lead cookie sale manager. Growing up in Oregon, Steve was a woodcutter for many years, an avid fisherman and hunter, yet he was equally famous for his popcorn and wonderful yarns. He could speak knowledgeably about any competitive sport, every brand of shop tool or renovation project then segue into an analysis of current geopolitics. Many knew him as a proficient pinochle player, member of the St. Pauls Catholic diocese and supporter of several charitable causes. Raised in Oregon, he spent his entire adult life except for overseas duty with the Air Force, in the Pacific Northwest, which he loved. Many of his six children also remained in the region, though sadly both his wife and one child pre-deceased him in 2021 and 2022, respectively. He will be missed for his innate kindness, acceptance and fierce loyalty to friends and family, as well as his wry sense of humor and love of practical jokes. A public memorial service will be held on Thursday, 11 January at 11:00 a.m. at Brookside Funeral Home, 500 West Prospect Place, Moxee, WA 98936. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Veterans Association of America (www.vetsaa.org). Celebration of Life Brookside Funeral Home and Crematory (Yakima) Thursday, January 11, 2024 11:00 AM PO Box 1267 Moxee, WA 98936