H. Fisher

[For complete printed version of Dr. Fisher's obituary and service details, copy the link below: http://integrityfuneral.com/book-of-memories/2714669/Fisher-H-Bruce/memorial-program.php] (Reverend Dr. Herbert) Bruce Fisher was born into a prominent family in Corner Brook Newfoundland. His early years were spent there in joy and tragedy. When he was 13 he moved with his parents to Clearwater, Florida, due to his father's failing health. His parents allowed him to choose their new church home and he chose Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church. It was here where the youth minister influenced him so deeply that he decided to go into the ministry himself. When Bruce was 16 his father passed away. He and his mother pushed past the heartbreak and carried on. After graduating from high school in Clearwater, Bruce left to attend Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina. Following his graduation he went to Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. He earned his Masters of Divinity and the affections of a smart, striking, savvy young woman who would become his wife, best friend and life partner. (Dorothy Edine) Dean Bock was attending Union's sister school, Presbyterian School of Christian Education (PSCE) when they met . It may not have been love at first sight, but it most certainly was fascination at first sight and it grew into a great and lasting love! Bruce and Dean were married and together they started a long career giving their all to Presbyterian churches they served. While serving churches in South Carolina and West Virginia they had their three daughters. They then relocated the family to Texas where they served churches in Port Arthur and College Station. In 1963, Bruce, a 39 year old deeply dedicated young minister, sat on the very first board for Brazos Presbyterian Homes whose first project was called Bayou Manor, a 6 acre retirement community at 4141 S. Braeswood. Little did he know that decades later he would be benefiting from his own hard work and vision by residing there. And little did he know how many lives his hard work and dedication would impact. After 40 years in the ministry, Bruce retired, but true to form, he did not rest for long. He almost immediately began interim ministries in churches from West Virginia back to Texas. He was frequently singled out to go to churches in turmoil and he would use his healing, joyous, MOST Christlike ways to bring peace and reconciliation where none was thought possible. One thing that was guaranteed during his interim ministry, every church he served wanted to keep him and would try to call him out of retirement. When that didn't work, they would figure out how to extend and renew his tenure until the Presbytery would insist they proceed with the process of calling a new minister. Everywhere he went he was dearly loved. During Bruce's interim work, for the 50th anniversary of his ordination as a Presbyterian minister, he was honored with a reception and grand celebration. Also during the interim years, Bruce lost his beloved wife, Dean, to cancer. And though he missed her so very much, every day, he had a strong faith and great hope that one day they would be reunited in Heaven and that faith and hope sustained him. Preaching was Bruce's passion and it showed. He had the ability to place the congregation in that time and that place through one of his first person Easter or Christmas accounts told from the point of view of a centurion guard or an innkeeper's nephew. He also had an uncanny ability to present the gospel with a modern day relevance that was poignant, hopeful, heartfelt and most certainly inspired by God. Through the years Bruce watched his family grow with grandchildren and great grandchildren who brought him immeasurable joy. He also watched his dream grow as Bayou Manor celebrated its 50th anniversary and grew into Brazos Towers at Bayou Manor. The people whose lives Bruce touched and changed for the better are too numerous to count. He was humble in the true sense of the word. He was a true gentleman, a gentle man. He was one of the most Christlike Christians to ever grace this earth and he will be remembered always. One final note, the family learned that Brazos Towers at Bayou Manor wants to honor Bruce by creating a memorial garden in his memory. It warmed our hearts beyond measure. If you like, please send memorial contributions to: The Reverend Bruce Fisher Memorial Garden Fund Brazos Towers at Bayou Manor, 4141 S. Braeswood, Houston TX 77025. Other places close to Bruce's heart: St. Philip Presbyterian Church , www.saintphilip.net ; 4807 San Felipe, Houston, TX 77056 Mountain Retreat Association , www.montreat.org/give/montreat-fund ; PO Box 969, Montreat, NC 28757

Service Information

October 22, 2016 8:30am, Brazos Towers at Bayou Manor

October 22, 2016 11:00am, St. Philip Presbyterian Church

Details:

Service Extra Info Afternoon Celebration 4:00pm to 8:00pm, Kate & Brad's, Directions available by request and at the Pals and Prayers gatherings, Dress: Casual