Richard H. Fischer, 88, of Fellowship Village in Basking Ridge, NJ passed away suddenly on July 25, 2025.  He was a devoted, kind and loving husband, father and grandfather.

Richard, known as Dick, grew up in Westfield, NJ, the son of the late Sue Delatour and Herbert G.M. Fischer.  He graduated from Pingry School in 1955 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Finance from Bucknell University in 1959.  His entire business career was with Merrill Lynch, beginning as a “quote clerk” during high school summers.  In 1959 he became a Security Analyst following the railroad and trucking industries.  He retired in 1988 as a First Vice President and Senior Industry Specialist in Capital Markets.

In the summer of 1961 he met Jennifer White, also from Westfield, on a blind date at Yankee Stadium.  They were married the following year, and their wedding song was “Take Me Out to The Ballgame.”  They were fortunate to have 63 wonderful years together.  One of his prized possessions was a baseball twice signed by Yogi Berra, once as Lawrence Berra early in his career, and later as Yogi Berra at Yogi’s Museum in Little Falls, NJ.

Dick and Jenny raised two cherished daughters, Susan and Mary, in Chatham, NJ.  When the girls were young and in rec leagues, Dick and Jenny enthusiastically coached their soccer and softball teams.  He valued education and was so proud of his daughters and grandchildren as they pursued their education and their dreams.

As a member of Minisink Club in Chatham for many years, Dick enjoyed playing competitive tennis and platform tennis.  When physical limitations prevented his playing those sports, he participated in competitive table tennis.  He once jokingly said that instead of a memorial service, “he would like his racket-playing friends to hold service on the courts.”

Over the years Dick and Jenny enjoyed traveling on the rivers of America, including the Ohio, Mississippi, Columbia, Snake, and Tennessee, as well as the Hudson, Chesapeake Bay, St. Lawrence Seaway and around the New England Islands. Last year on a cruise on the Mississippi, a highlight was a visit to The Field of Dreams in Iowa—baseball and cornfields.  They also drove cross-country twice, exploring what author William Least Heat-Moon described as “Blue Highways.”  Dick loved summer vacations on Squam Lake in NH with the family.

Dick was predeceased by his older sister, Suzanne, and daughter Susan who passed away in 2024.  In addition to Jenny and Mary, Dick is survived by brother-in-law Jonathan P. White of Naples, FL, sons-in-law Chris Collins and Pete Poworoznek, grandchildren Zach and Garrett Collins and Carlie Poworoznek, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Arrangements have been made private for the family. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to: The Chatham Emergency Squad, 31 No. Passaic Ave, Chatham, NJ 07928 and The Seeing Eye, P.O. Box 375, Morristown, NJ 07963-0375. For further information or to leave an online condolence message please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com