After a brief struggle with acute myeloid leukemia, Roland (Rollie) K. Fisher passed away on No-
vember 4, 2016, at home and surrounded by his family. Born on September 25, 1926, in
Oroville, CA, he was the second of five children of Otis and Roberta (Gatherer) Fisher. The fami-
ly moved to Helena in 1935, and Rollie forever considered himself a “native,”
To say that he loved the outdoors is an understatement. He loved hunting, fishing, hiking, golf-
ing and puttering around the yard. He never turned down a game of cribbage, and he enjoyed
his Wednesday afternoon poker club for over twenty years. It was always great entertainment
to watch him and his brothers in a competitive game of pinochle, where one would often hear
colorful remarks about parentage and intelligence passed between them.
Rollie graduated from Helena High School one year after being severely injured in a hunting ac-
cident during his junior year. The accident prevented him from serving in the military during
WWII, something he regretted most of his life. The injury, however, did not preclude him from
being of service to others in many ways. He was very proud of being a smokejumper, and he
shared wonderful stories with the friends he made and with his family. He also treasured his
memories of working as a hunting guide for Tom Edwards at the White Tail Ranch near Ovando.
While in high school and college, he worked skidding logs outside of Lincoln and transported
logs over Stemple Pass to the sawmill at Silver City. He played football for the Montana State
University Grizzlies for one year before transferring to Bozeman to attend what was then Mon-
tana State College, forever the spark of lively conversations during the Brawl oft he Wild.
Rollie met his wife, Jacqueline Jean Dartman, in 1947, and they were married in Hinsdale, MT,
on June 18, 1949. After working for Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph for twenty years
at different levels of sales and marketing management, he took on the challenge of helping
Montana hospitals navigate a relatively new program called Medicare as the Executive Vice
President of the Montana Hospital Association. He retired in 1988.
Rollie was committed to community service. He earned the Sparkplug Award in the Junior
Chamber of Commerce while living in Butte. He served as President of the Great Falls Exchange
Club and was active in the Exchange Clubs in both Helena and Butte. He was a lifetime member
of the Order of the Elks, and he participated in Toastmasters. He served as President of the
Helena YMCA at the time the new facility was being built. He held several positions in Boy
Scouts of America, including Scout Master, Wood Badge Trainer and the Vice President of MT
Council of Boy Scouts in Great Falls. He was a member of Masonic lodge #3, Scottish Rite and
the Algeria Shrine Temple, where he was elected Potentate in 1999. He was also an honorary
life member of Baghdad Temple. He took great joy traveling the country beating the bass drum
with the Drum and Bugle Corps. Rollie was a longtime member of St. Paul’s United Methodist
Church where he held various roles in the congregation, including Sunday School teacher. He
taught hunter safety and was a member of the Belmont Ski Patrol. For a time, he even took on
scuba diving as a hobby.
Rollie is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Truxton Fisher (Butte, MT) and his sister
Connie Sekora (Helena, MT). He is survived by his wife Jackie, and his brothers Stan Fisher (Bev)
of Bigfork, MT; and Bruce Fisher (Dorothea) of Tucson, AZ. He is also survived by his three chil-
dren, John (Lynda) of Stevensville, MT; Jane of Montana City, MT; and Jim (Marcy) of French-
town, MT. Survivors include seven grandchildren, Cale (Judie) Fisher of Stevensville, MT; Tyler
(Joanne) Fisher of Brisbane, AU; Whitney (Tres) Reed of Cape Girardeau, MO; Alicia (JT) Crepps
of Helena, MT; Lauren Korn of Missoula, MT; Brennan Fisher of Dickinson, NO; and Logan Fisher
of Bismarck, NO. Four great-grandchildren-Roland, Oliver, Amelia, and Bruce-and numerous
nieces and nephews, also survive Rollie. Rollie will be deeply missed by friends and family.
Memorials may be sent to the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 512 logan, Helena, MT
(please designate “building fund” or “Flathead Church Camp Scholarship fund) or to the
Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, November 10, 2016, at 11:00 am, at St. Paul’s
United Methodist Church.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Carol says
Lit a candle in memory of Roland “Rollie” Fisher
Anonymous says
Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum was purchased for the family of Roland “Rollie” Fisher.
Londa says
John and family.I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you. John, your dad was a very nice man. God bless you. Londa
Big Sky Cremation & Twitchell Funeral Se rvice says
A tribute video has been added.