Remembering Robert Fischer
Robert G. Fischer, (Bob), retired professor of microbiology, passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 4000 Valley Square – Woodside Village, Grand Forks. He was 93. 
Robert George Fischer was born on Oct. 17, 1920 in St Paul, Minn., to Frederick and Agnes (Cooney) Fischer. He graduated from Mechanic Arts High School, where he was on the swimming and water polo teams. He went on to obtain a B.S. from the University of Minnesota where he was in ROTC. He served in the 5th Army as a captain in the Second World War, and he saw action in North Africa and Italy. He served in Europe for two years seven months and five days. He returned to the University of Minnesota and completed his master’s and Ph.D. in Microbiology. He met Margaret Mary Roddy at a USO dance and they were married in Anoka, Minn. on June 28, 1947.
In 1948 he and Margaret moved to Grand Forks where he took a position in the Microbiology Department in the School of Medicine at the University of North Dakota. Bob was to spend his entire career at UND serving as chairman for 20 years. Under his guidance there was a great increase in research and development. Through his efforts he was able to secure substantial research dollars for cancer studies and virology.
The Fischers raised three children in Grand Forks: Mary (Dan) Martinsen, Redmond, Wash., John (Karen) Fischer, Bloomfield Township, Mich., and James Fischer, Chicago.
Robert was an avid photographer and many of his photographs can be seen in buildings at the University, in local business places and in homes of friends in Grand Forks.
He is survived by his wife; their 3 children; his sister, Helen, Oak Park, Minn.; 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to The Valley Memorial Foundation, 2900 14th Ave. S, Grand Forks, ND 58201.
Mass of Christian Burial: 11 a.m. Friday Aug. 1, 2014 in Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Forks.
Visitation: One hour prior to the liturgy at the church on Friday.
Burial: Calvary North Cemetery, Grand Forks
Military Honors: Accorded by members of the American Legion Post 157, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817 and the North Dakota National Guard.