Donald Fisher, veteran, legislative aide

Donald Fisher, 89, of Milton, died at home after a lengthy illness Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judy Fisher; his son and daughter-in-law, John Fisher and Jessica Blurton; and his nieces, Cecily Fisher (Loretta and Emily Fisher), and Stephani Richardson (Howard and Will Richardson).

 

Don was born in 1935 to Mabel Griffith and John Fisher. He fondly recalled his childhood in Milton, swimming in the millpond, riding bikes with his brother, Bill, frequenting Milton library, and visiting family in Milford. After graduating with the Milton High School Class of 1954, he attended Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington and finished with a business degree. Don then enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he trained as a medic. Don was stationed in Austria and was later transferred to Fort Miles in Lewes.

 

Don enjoyed time spent sailing and being on the water. He often reminisced about his favorite job, retrieving radio-controlled aerial targets on army boats with his brother on the Delaware Bay in the summer of 1958. The two of them continued to sail together on the bay in the decades that followed.

 

An interest in government and politics began in earnest when Don enrolled in Shepherd College in West Virginia, and attended a semester in Washington, D.C. This propelled him into graduate school for political science at American University. He was a congressional assistant for House Speaker John McCormack during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. He was at work the day President Kennedy was assassinated and authored the Speaker’s press release that appeared on the front page of the New York Times. Don later worked at both the Labor and State Departments. In 1967, Don joined USAID and was stationed in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive and through early 1969. While there, he worked with the organization to provide aid and resources for those affected by the war. During those years, he traveled across Asia and Europe.

 

In the summer of 1969, Don began a five-year-stint working at Planned Parenthood National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. During this time, he met Judith Brewer of North Carolina and they married in 1971, and had their only son, John, in 1973.

 

Don spent the majority of his career working on Capitol Hill as a legislative aide for U.S. Rep. Sidney Yates of Illinois on the House Appropriations Committee.

 

Don spent his retirement in Milton in his family home, where he devoted his time to restoring and renovating historic houses and buildings. He also enjoyed several boating excursions along the Eastern Seaboard.

 

A memorial service will be held in the coming months.

 

Donations can be made to the Bryan Stevenson School for Excellence, 20346 Ennis St., Georgetown, DE 19947; or The Equal Justice Initiative, 122 Commerce St., Montgomery, AL 36104.

 

Short Funeral Services Inc. in Milton is honored to be caring for Donald and his family at this difficult time.

 

Online condolences may be offered at www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com.