From Steve Gallisdorfer:
All-
I am sure most all of you have heard of the tragic and untimely death of Bob Fisher, a well known and longtime figure in the art materials industry. A great many of you had the pleasure of getting to know him a more than just a little bit, but a great many also came to know him as a good friend, and a genuinely pleasant person. I happen to be one of those fortunate ones who knew him very well, having working with him in various capacities for about 28 years, and am just blessed that he was my friend.
Bob passed away early on the morning of August 3rd after a 15 month battle against Amyloidosis. The whole time he was positive and up-beat, and actually he was his own best cheerleader that he would conquer this disease. A memorial to celebrate Bob’s life will be held on Saturday, October 10th, 2009, at 3:00 PM, at the Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church. Here is the address information for those wishing to attend:
Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church
11427 Fair Oaks Blvd
Fair Oaks, CA 95628
www.fopc.net
To all of you that reached out to him and his family while he fought this battle, I thank-you from the bottom of my heart. I know I asked often for call, cards and kindness, but now I have two more favors to ask.
The first should be easy. I am sending this out in several ‘group’ emails to a total of about 600 individuals in our industry, but will miss many who knew him, as I don’t have everyone’s email address. So, if you could forward this on within your company to all who know Bob, I would greatly appreciate it.
The second favor I have to ask is harder. We are all feeling the changes our economy has gone through in the past year or so, and things are tight for all of us. For a great many, they are even tighter. Bob’s family is one of those. During Bob’s last 15 months with us, his family’s finances were ravaged, so much so that the NAMTA Foundation began accepting donations to help with the mounting bills and decreased income. Many have given, but still, the need is severe. It appears now that Bob’s wife, Jennifer, may lose their home of many, many years without a miracle. I know I can certainly do without several months of Starbucks visits and a few nice dinners out, which really will be almost no sacrifice when it comes right down to it. But to Jennifer, it will make a world of difference. And if a great many of us do that, all on our own scale, we can save Bob & Jennifer Fisher’s home, and she can keep his memories right there where they belong. Bob touched some many of our lives, and our businesses, in such a great way. Won’t it be nice to touch back a bit?
Will you help us do that? Here’s how easy that is.
The NAMTA Foundation has set up a web page that you can make donation directly to using your credit card. 100% of the money collected goes to Jennifer Fisher. It can be accessed at:
or if you would prefer, checks can be sent at follows:
NAMTA Foundation
Attn: Sid Smith
“Bob Fisher Fund”
15806 Brookway Drive, Suite 300
Huntersville, NC 28078
I don’t ask lightly. We are all feeling this economy thing. Think of what Jennifer Fisher is feeling then, on top of losing her husband. Please, forward this email, and make a donation as you see fit. Please, please consider this. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I am sure Jennifer Fisher will, too.
With kind regards-
Steve Gallisdorfer
phone: 530.265.8482 fax: 801.761.1747
On Facebook: Steve on Facebook