John “Fish” R. Fischer

John “Fish” R. Fischer was born on February 11, 1956, in West Bend, Wisconsin to Howard and Eleanor (Schneider) Fischer. He leaves behind a family who loved him beyond words, lifelong friends, and a community that bears the mark of a man who spent his life caring for the people around him.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Patti; his children, Christopher, Matthew (Megan McCormick), and Nikki; his sisters, Mary Fischer and Jayne (Tim) Duenkel; his sister-in-law, Patti Fischer; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who will carry his memory with them.

On May 9, 1981, John married Patricia “Patti” A. (Dreher) in Kewaskum, Wisconsin. For 45 years, Patti was by his side through everything life brought their way. Together they raised Christopher, Matthew, and Nikki, built a life rooted in family and tradition, and shared a love that remained at the center of John's life until the very end.

John was diagnosed with an incurable brain cancer and faced that diagnosis, along with other serious health complications, with remarkable strength and determination. He fought like hell until the very end, enduring more than anyone should have to while never losing the deep love he had for his family. His strength throughout his illness was a reflection of the man he had always been, stubborn, determined, and unwilling to give up on the people and the life he loved.

John spent his career as an excavator, a profession that suited him perfectly. He loved the work and took tremendous pride in doing it well. Whether he was digging a pond, working the land, or helping someone solve a problem, John brought the same care and attention to every job. His perfectionism had found its calling in a profession where getting things just right mattered.

But for John, the work was about more than moving dirt. It was about helping people. Over the years, he became someone his neighbors and community could count on for their land and agricultural needs. In the winter, that meant long hours behind the wheel of a snowplow, clearing township roads while most people were still asleep or safely at home. John genuinely loved knowing that the work he was doing made the roads safer for the people who traveled them.

When he wasn't working, John loved being outdoors. He enjoyed trapshooting and was an accomplished, and fiercely competitive, bowler, securing a perfect 300 game over the years.

But few traditions meant more to John than deer hunting. For more than 50 years, deer season was a cherished part of his life, and John was the one who made sure it happened year after year. The tradition began with his father, Howard, and John took great pride in carrying it forward. What started as time spent hunting with his own father became a tradition John carried forward with his sons, ensuring that something so meaningful to him would continue with them. For John, it was about far more than the hunt. It was about tradition, time together, and keeping something meaningful alive.

Through all of it, John was a kind and caring man. He cared deeply about his friends, his family, and the people around him. If someone needed help, John was there. He was generous with his time, quick to lend a hand, and happiest when he could do something for someone he cared about.

For all the things John took pride in throughout his life, nothing mattered to him more than his family. He loved Patti, Christopher, Matthew, and Nikki fiercely, and being their husband and dad was one of the greatest joys of his life.

He was the kind of dad who showed up.

Whatever his kids were doing, John wanted to be part of it. He was there for games and practices, performances and milestones, sometimes cheering from the sidelines and sometimes stepping in to coach. And there was never much question about whether John was proud—you knew. As Christopher, Matthew, and Nikki grew up and found their own paths, that never changed. He celebrated their successes, carried their worries with them, and remained one of their biggest supporters throughout his life.

John loved the Packers, and going to a game was about far more than football. He loved the entire tradition of it; the pre-game, the game itself, and cheering alongside family and friends, often hard enough that they came home without their voices.

Traditions mattered deeply to John. At Christmas, he was the one behind the family's epic Christmas tree, making sure it was done right year after year. And throughout the year, Friday nights often meant a Wisconsin fish fry shared with friends. Whether it was Christmas, deer season, a Packers game, or simply a Friday night, John understood that traditions weren't really about the event itself. They were about the people you shared them with, the memories you made, and doing it all again together next year.

John spent his life building things that lasted, not only through his work, but through the family he raised, the friendships he treasured, the traditions he kept alive, and the countless ways he cared for the people around him. His absence will be felt in places big and small: during deer season, around the Christmas tree, on Packers Sundays, at Friday night fish fries, and in all the ordinary moments when his family will instinctively wish he were there.

Those who loved John will miss his laugh, sense of humor and signature greeting, “Howdy!”, but most of all, they will miss him; the steady, caring, determined man at the center of so many of their memories. The traditions he loved will continue, and through them, so will a part of John.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Eleanor Fischer, and his brother, Michael.

John's family will be forever grateful to the staff at Horizon Hospice, especially Katie and Mike, for the extraordinary care they gave John during his final days. They treated him with compassion and dignity while offering his family kindness, guidance, and comfort when they needed it most. The difference they made during such a difficult time will always be remembered.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 138 N. 8th Ave., West Bend, Wisconsin. A Funeral Mass will follow at noon, with a reception to follow.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with John’s arrangements. For additional information or to leave an online condolence on the tribute wall, please visit www.myrhum-patten.com.