Calvin D. Fisher

Calvin David Fisher of Rio Verde passed away July 3, 2017 at the age of 91. He was born in Nerstrand, Minn. to Edward and Sadie (Wolf) Fisher on June 10, 1926.

He graduated from Faribault High School and served in the U.S. Navy for 1944 to 1947. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. Degree in Dairy Industry and Bio Chemistry. He and Patti Capriotti (a student nurse at St. Barnabas Hospital) were married on July 28 in 1950, after a busy year as they both graduated from school plus planned a wedding.

He started his career while a student at the university, working part-time and during the summer at Northland Dairy and Minnesota Milk Co. After graduation, he worked for the USDA in Minneapolis as Products Grader.

In 1954 he was transferred to Omaha and was offered a job at Roberts Dairy. In 1958 he started as general quality control supervisor, moving up in the company to president and CEO to owner in 1970 to 1979.

After selling the company to Mid-America Dairymen he started a new venture with Fisher Foods, Inc. in Lincoln, Neb. along with his son Mike. Their work was spray drying meats to be used by major food companies for flavoring in their products. Their one product which Cal took the most pride in was the powdered eggs which he had a patent on to improve the one used in WW2. They supplied their eggs to the military and had a few months of fame providing all the powdered eggs for Desert Storm. He was a hard worker and expected the same discipline from his employees.

Cal was a member of numerous food and dairy trade associations. While living in Omaha his civic activities included Ralston School Board, Arthritis Foundation, a board member of the Lutheran Medical Center, Chamber of Commerce, and safety council. He was a member of the Lion’s club and enjoyed 44 years with Rotary which lasted until last month when he was too weak to attend meetings.

This man also had time for fun activities which included golfing, bridge, and cheering on football teams. He was faithful to the Minnesota Gophers for many years but the allegiance changed when the Nebraska Huskers started winning championships for many years.

He also acquired a large number of Arabian Horses which became a fun hobby following them around different shows and his granddaughter Tyller was able to show several of his horses in events. This led to several national championships. When he moved to Rio Verde he joined their saddle club and spent 19 years on Wildefire (his Tennessee Walker) until the horse passed away at age 29.

The opportunity to travel came about with business and soon he and Patti had traveled the world enjoying each trip. Beside homes in Lincoln and Rio Verde they loved their place in Breckenridge, Colo. where they spent the summers and Christmas for 27 years. In 2007 they made Rio Verde golf community their permanent home.

Cal had a phenomenal gift of remembering people, places and events from years past and could relate many stories for friends to hear.

Those who he left to mourn are his wife of 67 years, Patti; son, Mike and his sons, Miles and Marshal of Lincoln, Neb. and Nancy Lindblade and granddaughters, Tyller Wolf (Noble), Tessa Lindblade and daughter, Cindy Fisher all of Breckenridge, brothers-in-law and sisters-in law, Harold Berg of Faribault, Minn., Frank Capriotti, Karen and Kent Johnson, Al and Kathy Johnson of Minneapolis and the many nieces and nephews who will certainly miss hearing those family stories and also the many friends he has met along the way.

From humble beginnings as a Minnesota farm boy to a highly respected Food Industry executive, he was proud to have been in “Who’s Who in the World,” acquiring a patent on powdered eggs and powdered ice-cream and knowing he provided well for his family he was ready to reunite with his parents and five siblings who had gone on before.

A Memorial service will be held at the Church of the Verdes in late October.

Arrangements by Messinger Fountain Hills Mortuary.