The publication is reproduced in full below:
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF REV. DR. ROGER RAYMOND FISCHER
______
HON. GUY RESCHENTHALER
of pennsylvania
in the house of representatives
Friday, July 9, 2021
Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Rev. Dr. Roger Raymond Fischer, who passed away on July 1, 2021.
A native of Washington, Pennsylvania, Rev. Fischer graduated from Washington High School in 1959. He attended Washington and Jefferson College in 1963, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Physics. Later in life, he earned an honorary Doctor of Divinity from his alma mater.
At the age of 25, Rev. Fischer was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 47th District, serving ten consecutive terms from 1966 to 1988. He was one of the youngest members elected in the history of the General Assembly, and served as Chairman of the House Education Committee and on the State Board of Education. After his retirement, Rev. Fischer became President of the Association of Retired Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate Members, sharing his wisdom with current legislators for nine terms. A dedicated citizen, he voted in every primary and general election from 1962 until the time of his death, which earned him a place in the Pennsylvania Voter Hall of Fame.
After serving honorably as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, Rev. Fischer was still determined to contribute to our Nation's defense. He accepted a commission as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, while continuing to work tirelessly for his community in the legislature. Rev. Fischer also gave back to his fellow veterans through his work with American Legion Post 175.
Following his time as a legislator, Rev. Fischer felt a call from God to pursue ministry, earning a master's degree with honors from the Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg in 1991. In 1998, he was granted a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Rev. Fischer was ordained on January 13th, 1990, at First Lutheran Church, Washington, and went on to serve several churches in southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The last congregations he served were Calvary Lutheran in Scenery Hill, Buena Vista Presbyterian, and Hyland Brotheran.
Throughout his life, Rev. Fischer was dedicated to fitness and endurance. He finished the Ironman Triathlon not once, but twice. Rev. Fischer ran multiple marathons across the U.S. and, at the age of 74, added the Disney World Marathon to his list. He elected to bike across America and hiked the entire 2,174.1-mile Appalachian Trail. Well-
traveled after discovering the passion with his wife of 48 years, Kitty, Rev. Fischer could proudly say he visited every continent except Antarctica.
Madam Speaker, Rev. Dr. Roger Raymond Fischer led an incredibly accomplished life, one marked by dedication to God, community, and country. I have no doubt his legacy will live on in his community and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 120
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