Ronald C. Fisher

Ronald C. Fisher

Port Orange, Fla.

We are heartbroken to share the loss of our beloved father, Ronald C. Fisher, on Aug. 20, 2022, at the age of 81.

Ronald was born in Sacramento, Calif., on April 9, 1941, to Evelyn and Clyde Fisher. In 1950, the family moved back to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, when he was 10 years old. After high school, Ron married the love of his life, Patricia Welch, in 1959. The couple later welcomed two daughters, Christina and Julie. Ron and Patricia celebrated 50-years of marriage on Dec. 5, 2009. After many years of care and support, Ron lost his wife to cancer in 2010.

Ron was a hardworking and loving father, husband, grandfather, father-in-law and brother. He was an avid seeker of adventure and challenge throughout his life and career. In his younger years, he enjoyed dirt track racing at Hawkeye Downs and other Eastern Iowa racing circuits. Ron built, painted, and raced his own cars in the mid-60s spanning into the 70s—he earned several season championships and many other wins throughout his racing career. He was a talented autobody man with Handler Motors in Cedar Rapids, promoted to body shop manager for many years. Later, he became an insurance adjuster before he and wife, Patricia, relocated to Port Orange, Fla., in 1980. Ron’s oldest daughter, Christina, soon followed her parents to Florida.

After relocating, Ron managed local auto body shops from 1980 through 1998. In 1998, he quickly picked up the skills necessary to become a land surveyor for his son-in-law’s business, Cullum Land Surveying. Ron and son-in-law, Gregg, shared a special bond, often leading to humorous adventures while out in the field. He continued working for the family business into his late 70s. At age 51, he challenged himself to earn his pilot’s license and soon became the owner of a small aircraft that he and his wife enjoyed while taking weekend sightseeing flights to area attractions and new locations.

Our father was a kind and gentle man who shared his deep love for animals with the family, often bringing stray kitties home who needed care and love. He leaves behind his kitty companions, Beau, Gracie and Baby who now reside with the Cullum family. Ron is also survived by his two daughters, Christina Cullum (Gregg) of Port Orange, Fla., and Julie Facion of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; two grandsons, Joshua Cullum of Port Orange, Fla., and David Facion Jr. of Cedar Rapids; two great-grandsons, Noah and Jonah of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and two siblings, Susan Fisher of Iowa City, Iowa, and Mike Fisher of Amana, Iowa.

The family plans to hold a private graveside service in Ormond Beach, Fla., where he will be laid to rest with his wife, Patricia.