Ralph E. Fisher

Ralph Edwin Fisher, age 78, passed peacefully on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, surrounded by his loving family while in hospice at Palos Northwestern Hospital.

He was born October 1, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois to Beverly (nee Backer) Fisher and Richard Fisher.

Ralph is survived and missed by his cherished wife Marsha (nee Burgeson), his high school sweetheart and wife of 55 years.

He was the devoted father of Zachary (Ariane) Fisher and Emma Fisher who will miss his wisdom, sense of humor, and unconditional love.

Ralph was blessed with his seven extraordinary grandchildren: Lillianna, Eleanor, Natalie, Patrick, Lucille, Landon & Andrew.

Ralph was the loved and stubborn brother of Dorothy (Robert) Szumal, the late James Fisher, Richard Jr. (Margaret) Fisher, the late John (Nancy) Fisher & William (Melody) Fisher.

He was a kind uncle to many nieces & nephews.

Ralph graduated from Calumet High School in Chicago in 1964. Following a year at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL, Ralph volunteered for the draft in the U.S. Army so as to follow in paths of his two older brothers. He served as a Huey Helicopter Crew Chief in Vietnam. One of his greatest moments in his later years was to be selected for the Honor Flight Chicago and to experience it with his daughter at his side.

Ralph returned to SIU following his discharge from the army and received his B.S. in Business Education. He had a varied career but spent the last 20 years of it doing what he loved the most. Ralph taught Business Education at Richards High School in Oak Lawn, IL. Two of his favorite memories were being on the championship Bulldogs football team as a member of the “Chain Gang” and accompanying groups of students to Europe as one of the chaperones, along with Marsha.

Ralph and Marsha took many trips to Europe, each one better than the last. He was always happy to return home to Palos Heights, his home since 1976, and to spend most weekends in South Haven, MI where he would soak for hours in the hot tub of his second home. He was beginning a new journey at the American Legion Post #0049, MI.

Rest easy, Ralph, your painful fight is over. You were a truly good man, and you will be forever missed, forever remembered and forever loved.

Your rescue dog, Henry, says thanks for driving all the way to Peoria to get him.