Passed away on December 10, 2021 in Victoria, BC, aged 89 years. Fred was born on April 28, 1932 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Predeceased by his wife Cathreen and son Martin (Linnea), Fred is survived by daughters Ann (Hugo) and Wendy (Chris), grandchildren Raphaella (Adrian), James and Alexander, brother John and nephews Mark and Brent (Pam).
Fred came of hardy and adventurous stock. His father, also Fred, went to sea as a ship’s carpenter and became a gold miner near Nome, Alaska, eventually returning to gold dredging in New Zealand in his forties. Mother Mary emigrated from Scotland to New Zealand by herself at age 22. After a bout with polio, young Fred was sent to a Roman Catholic convent school in Christchurch, where his academic promise was so evident that he was kept on as a scholarship pupil. He graduated as Dux of St. Bede’s College in Christchurch in 1949, with a University of New Zealand National Entrance Scholarship.
At Canterbury University College Fred was Senior Scholar in chemistry in his B.Sc. graduating year, 1953, and while completing his M.Sc. in 1955 he obtained a lecturing appointment in the chemistry department. On the strength of this, Fred and Cathreen married in 1955 and welcomed daughters Ann in 1956 and Wendy in 1958.
In 1960, Fred completed his Ph.D. in organic chemistry and was awarded a post-doctoral research fellowship at the California Institute of Technology. Not deterred by US/NZ double taxation, the little family subsisted on a shoestring and delighted in their American adventure. Son Martin was born in 1962, after the family’s return to New Zealand. A few years later, following a sabbatical year in 1966-67 at the University of Sussex, UK on a Nuffield Fellowship, Fred was attracted by opportunities overseas. In January, 1969 he joined the University of Victoria as a full Professor of Chemistry.
Fred’s career at UVic quickly expanded to administrative roles although he continued to oversee a research laboratory. He sponsored overseas students and promoted diversity in academia. He served as Acting Head of the Chemistry Department (1972-73), Dean of Arts & Science (1975-78), Vice-President, Academic (1979-83), Acting Dean of Engineering (1985-86) and Associate Vice-President, Administration (1989-95). Retirement tributes from colleagues lauded Fred’s industry, tact, objectivity, dedication, wisdom and mentorship. His C.V. listed 112 articles in refereed journals.
In family life, as at work, Fred could be blunt and decisive, but was also tender-hearted and generous. Martin’s death in 1984, of Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 22 years, was a great blow. Fred stepped aside from academia and devoted himself to supporting Martin through that terrible time.
When Fred could tear himself away from the University, he enjoyed gardening with Cathreen, and walks with friends and family. He continued to be a voracious reader who could startle others with his knowledge of arcane facts. He plunged into geological research and provided logistical support for his brother John’s Yukon gold mining initiative in the 1990s. After retirement in 1997, Fred continued his involvement with the Pension Board at UVic and chaired a provincial committee to evaluate grant applications in science. Regular trips to New Zealand permitted Fred and Cathreen to escape northern hemisphere winters. Fred supported Cathreen’s interest in genealogy and replaced her in the kitchen. Both loved children and delighted in their role as grandparents which expanded to include two Victoria-born grandsons in the early 2000s.
When advancing Alzheimer’s disease forced Fred’s move into long term care in late 2020 his bedrock warmth, humour and humility endeared him to staff and fellow residents of The Kiwanis Pavilion. The family would like to thank the staff of unit 2B for their excellent care and kindness. Due to the pandemic, no memorial gathering is planned at the present time. Memorial donations are invited to either of the following:
Fred’s memorial fund for University of Victoria research in neurodegenerative disorders https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donate/alfred-fischer
The Oak Bay Kiwanis Pavilion Foundation https://www.kiwanispavilion.ca/index.php/get-involved/donate
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
18 Responses
On behalf of my late father, Izzud-Din Pal, I am truly sorry for the family’s loss. Dr. Fischer was a good professional colleague and friend to my father at the University of Victoria. I remember they used to meet for lunch at a regular interval. I understood from Papa that Dr. Fischer was a devoted family man and I am sure the loss is huge and I hope that time heals some of the pain.
Hi, Wendy and family and Catherine. I was just just thinking that this is the weekend we did our walk/ run for TC/10K and Fred’s birthday. I am saddened by Fred’s passing. He was such a genuinely nice person. I realized he passed last year, but I want you to know that I appreciated his involvement and his kindness. You have my deepest sympathies. As he once said, My Dad was the same vintage. I know he had a full life with lot’s of love ❤️ but I know you’ll still miss him. It was a pleasure knowing him and You have my deepest condolences.
Lynn Hayes (nee Toal)
On behalf of my brother Jim and I, we were saddened to read of Freddy’s passing. My late sister, Margaret corresponded with Freddy on a regular basis and him and Cathreen always visited Margaret when in Christchurch. I caught up with them on some of these occasions. When I was growing up, there was always a photo of Freddy at home after he graduated. While boarding at St Bedes, he often stayed at our family home.
Our deepest sympathies to you all.
Lynn
Wendy and extended families. I am very saddened of Fred’s passing. Wendy, take comfort in the fact that both you and Martin were so similar to him in your kindness and empathy. Fred and Martin will remain in my memories, always.
Wendy, Ann, and family:
We extend our condolences to you all. Your mum and dad were such kind, and fun, people that we were privileged to know in our UVic lives. Shari especially valued Fred’s administrative skills when he was “her” Acting Dean of Engineering.
We have good memories of shared times with both Fred and Cathreen, as we trust you all do and will be treasuring for years.
It was with sadness that we read the news back here in Chch of your Dad’s death. Mum, Cath Ford, sends her condolences. I remember you all coming over to grandma’s, Liz and Fred Hill, when we were there. Those were happy days a long time ago. My thoughts are with you all. Kind regards
Elizabeth McMeeken (nee Ford).
Wendy, thank you for writing the excellent tribute to your father in his obituary. I worked with Fred at UVic and followed him onto the Pension Board. Fred’s creative leadership in initiating in Canada the LIF-type option for our plan, as described above by Mike Miller, has benefited myself and countless others in enhancing our retirements while providing a basis for passing along the residual benefit to our beneficiaries.
More recently I very much enjoyed Fred’s enduring curiosity and knowledge on such a wide range of topics at dinner meetings of the Victoria Roundtable.
Enjoy your memories of this remarkable individual.
Christine Ward, Hokitika
To Ann, Wendy and families, really sorry to hear about cousin Fred,(just read the news) I remember him being a quiet, thoughtful man. You will miss him. Take care, Kia Kaha