John Herbert Fisher, 87
Prominent and Internationally Known Pediatric Surgeon
Marshfield, MA: Herb Fisher MD, 87, of Marshfield, MA, formerly a resident of Hingham, MA for over 50 years died of heart failure peacefully at home on Feb. 14, 2009 surrounded by his family.
Herb was born on a land grant farm that had been owned by his family for over 150 years in Tipton, MI, pop. 350. He attended a one-room schoolhouse for 8 years. Education was incredibly important, both his parents and grandparents were college-educated teachers. He graduated from the Univ. of MI and Harvard University Medical School, class of 1946. He was a Captain in the Army Medical Corp in WWII.
While at Harvard he met the love of his life, Jini Moore, whom he was married to and fascinated with for 58 years until her death in 2005.
Herb became Surgeon-in-Chief at the Floating Hospital, part of New England Medical Center, for 16 years. Through his research, he developed innovative surgical techniques for open-heart surgery, cleft palates, and Hirschsprung’s Disease. As a Professor of Surgery, one of his greatest joys was teaching medical students at Tufts University Medical School and Harvard Medical School for which he won many faculty awards. He trained several leading heads of current surgical departments. He was one of the original pediatric surgeons in the Boston area. He was guest lecturer in pediatric surgery in Japan, Finland, England, Brazil, and France. He later became head of the Trauma Surgical Emergency Department at Children’s Hospital in Boston.
Throughout his life he gained great enjoyment from playing the violin and viola. At 6 yrs. he began playing duets with his cousin, he later played at Carnegie Hall with the Doctor’s Symphony, with the Hingham Civic Orchestra, and in his beloved Pilgrim Quartet in which he played weekly until his mid 80’s.
He is survived by his four children: John Brewster Fisher of Boxford who works for FAA and his joyful partner Kathleen; Martha Weaver M.S. of Preston, CT, a science teacher; Beth Ann Fisher of Marshfield, teacher and alternative healer; and Carol Curran of Gorham ME, Ph.D. in Psychology, Herb’s classical concert companion and her supportive husband Albert Curran.
He was extremely proud of his 8 grandchildren. He recently said of them, ”I enjoy seeing what new ideas they have and what kind, honest people they are.” At university are Jon and Adam Fisher studying Chemical Engineering; Ben Fisher studying Psychology; Caleb Weaver studying Geology; Sarah Kate Weaver recently returned from 2 years in the Peace Corps in Tonga; Rachelle Curran M.S. teaches at Audubon in ME; Sally Curran J.D. is a public interest attorney in NYC; and Nilaya and James Palmer live in England and will soon be teaching boat building in ME. Herb loved weekly Skyping with them.
Herb was filled with curiosity and gratitude. He said, “Why I get up every morning is to see what is new today and to enjoy all of the world’s variety and how amazing it is.”
The Funeral Services and Interment are to be private.