1958
Donald
2014
Donald Bruce Fisher
May 11, 1958 — June 25, 2014
Donald Bruce Fisher
56, Indianapolis; born May 11, 1958, CA, to Earl Raymond and Fern McKee Fisher, passed on June 25, 2014, due to complications from a car accident on June 5th. Don is remembered with immeasurable love by his wife of 34 years, Cathy A. Burton, and their son, Burton F. Fisher. Don inspired many people throughout his life and recognized his many teachers. He braved the circumstances of his youth and proved to be the best husband and father anyone could ask for. Don had many hobbies; from collecting snowflakes to making beautiful origami. He recently worked as the Senior Administrative Secretary at IUPUI, School of Liberal Arts, in Indianapolis, IN.
Don started many interests while in California. He was a small aircraft pilot and took Cathy on a flight around the San Fernando Valley on their first date. Don was an Outdoor Recreation major at CSU Northridge, and later changed to Anthropology while at CSU Chico. Don became an outdoor field assistant and excelled in teaching the topics of wilderness survival and first aid, rock climbing, backpacking and the identification and uses of native plants. He was very interested in pre-contact indigenous living skills and learned from both Native and non-Native teachers. He taught about plants, stone tool making, and navigation. He created and taught classes for the CSU Desert Studies Center at the Zzyzx Mojave Desert location desert peoples' hunting and trapping techniques, music and games, clothing, and how to use the ancient hunting tool the atlatl. He took some of these topics to regional museums in Southern California so docents and other audiences could understand and explore techniques such as the weaving of rabbit skin blankets and brain tanning of deer skins.
After moving to Indiana (which was the birth place of his parents, grandparents and other Fisher generations) Don continued trying and then teaching several new skills. He met others interested in atlatls and taught at Holliday Park and museums. He brought wildlife garden ideas and origami to schools. He learned of the hide tipi at The Children's Museum and, with the help of staff and volunteers, put it up seasonally in the Passport to the World gallery. At the Eiteljorg Museum he did guest lectures so museum guides could see, feel, and try throwing darts with atlatls and engage with other materials similar to those in the museum's collections. Don became more involved with natural history subjects and a staunch supporter of the Monarch Butterfly migration tagging program. He was a facilitator for Project Wild and Project Learning Tree. He was a member of the Hoosier Heartland Resource Conservation & Development Education Committee. Don would consult with homeowners for backyard wildlife habitat certification. He became a volunteer at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and helped staff the Indian Market and Festival "Dogbane Family Activity Area" for sixteen years, where he worked with thousands of creative children and their families. At the Eiteljorg Don painted the theater's ceiling for the Camp Yosemite program. Visitors could see the summer night sky as it appeared over Yosemite Valley. Walking and designing labyrinths was a long-time interest and Don placed a "Man in the Maze" O'odham-style labyrinth on the front lawn of the Eiteljorg more than once. Don tried and enjoyed several art activities; origami, (which he taught at public libraries) Zentangle drawings, art on gourds, embellished dominoes, and paper quilling. He brought "the science of spin" to groups interested in yo-yos and juggling sticks. And, yes, he did preserve snowflakes, or "snow crystals." He read and read and was at home in the outdoors. He treated the family cats as family, as cats expect. A friend elegantly summed up who Don was, "He always marveled at then mastered things that many of us just don't stop to appreciate; but through Don's eyes we, too, began to be amazed."
We, Cathy and Burton, recognize and will always remember the many, many kindnesses to our family while Don was in Eskanazi Hospital. The delicious meals, the financial assistance, the transportation, and the notes and conversations full of memories and love from friends helped so very much; more than you can imagine. You have our deep and abiding gratitude, friendship, love and respect. Thank you.
A celebration is being planned for late July or early August. Per Don's wishes his ashes will be returned to the mountains of California.
Contributions may be made in Don's memory to The Eiteljorg Museum and local animal shelters. Arrangements entrusted to Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Mortuary.
56, Indianapolis; born May 11, 1958, CA, to Earl Raymond and Fern McKee Fisher, passed on June 25, 2014, due to complications from a car accident on June 5th. Don is remembered with immeasurable love by his wife of 34 years, Cathy A. Burton, and their son, Burton F. Fisher. Don inspired many people throughout his life and recognized his many teachers. He braved the circumstances of his youth and proved to be the best husband and father anyone could ask for. Don had many hobbies; from collecting snowflakes to making beautiful origami. He recently worked as the Senior Administrative Secretary at IUPUI, School of Liberal Arts, in Indianapolis, IN.
Don started many interests while in California. He was a small aircraft pilot and took Cathy on a flight around the San Fernando Valley on their first date. Don was an Outdoor Recreation major at CSU Northridge, and later changed to Anthropology while at CSU Chico. Don became an outdoor field assistant and excelled in teaching the topics of wilderness survival and first aid, rock climbing, backpacking and the identification and uses of native plants. He was very interested in pre-contact indigenous living skills and learned from both Native and non-Native teachers. He taught about plants, stone tool making, and navigation. He created and taught classes for the CSU Desert Studies Center at the Zzyzx Mojave Desert location desert peoples' hunting and trapping techniques, music and games, clothing, and how to use the ancient hunting tool the atlatl. He took some of these topics to regional museums in Southern California so docents and other audiences could understand and explore techniques such as the weaving of rabbit skin blankets and brain tanning of deer skins.
After moving to Indiana (which was the birth place of his parents, grandparents and other Fisher generations) Don continued trying and then teaching several new skills. He met others interested in atlatls and taught at Holliday Park and museums. He brought wildlife garden ideas and origami to schools. He learned of the hide tipi at The Children's Museum and, with the help of staff and volunteers, put it up seasonally in the Passport to the World gallery. At the Eiteljorg Museum he did guest lectures so museum guides could see, feel, and try throwing darts with atlatls and engage with other materials similar to those in the museum's collections. Don became more involved with natural history subjects and a staunch supporter of the Monarch Butterfly migration tagging program. He was a facilitator for Project Wild and Project Learning Tree. He was a member of the Hoosier Heartland Resource Conservation & Development Education Committee. Don would consult with homeowners for backyard wildlife habitat certification. He became a volunteer at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and helped staff the Indian Market and Festival "Dogbane Family Activity Area" for sixteen years, where he worked with thousands of creative children and their families. At the Eiteljorg Don painted the theater's ceiling for the Camp Yosemite program. Visitors could see the summer night sky as it appeared over Yosemite Valley. Walking and designing labyrinths was a long-time interest and Don placed a "Man in the Maze" O'odham-style labyrinth on the front lawn of the Eiteljorg more than once. Don tried and enjoyed several art activities; origami, (which he taught at public libraries) Zentangle drawings, art on gourds, embellished dominoes, and paper quilling. He brought "the science of spin" to groups interested in yo-yos and juggling sticks. And, yes, he did preserve snowflakes, or "snow crystals." He read and read and was at home in the outdoors. He treated the family cats as family, as cats expect. A friend elegantly summed up who Don was, "He always marveled at then mastered things that many of us just don't stop to appreciate; but through Don's eyes we, too, began to be amazed."
We, Cathy and Burton, recognize and will always remember the many, many kindnesses to our family while Don was in Eskanazi Hospital. The delicious meals, the financial assistance, the transportation, and the notes and conversations full of memories and love from friends helped so very much; more than you can imagine. You have our deep and abiding gratitude, friendship, love and respect. Thank you.
A celebration is being planned for late July or early August. Per Don's wishes his ashes will be returned to the mountains of California.
Contributions may be made in Don's memory to The Eiteljorg Museum and local animal shelters. Arrangements entrusted to Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Mortuary.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Bruce Fisher, please visit our flower store.
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