University Advancement & Alumni Relations

In Memoriam: Herbert T. Fisher

Herbert T. Fisher

Calling Herbert Fisher a proud Seahawk is an understatement, but that is one of the many things he was to our UNCW family.

 

Students and alumni know the Fisher name, of course, from the student center and student union, which Herb, his wife Sylvia, and their family so generously helped establish in 2006. The Fisher Memorial Garden is named in memory of Herb's late sister, Emily Fisher Hunter. The Fisher Field House sits across from our baseball field. And the Varsity Cafe is named in honor of Herb's first business, which served as an unofficial student center in the early days of our university (then a college).

Our campus has also benefitted from the service of Herb's son Carlton on our Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board. Carlton, along with his wife, his sister and his son, graduated from UNCW. Herb and his beloved wife Sylvia met at Wilmington College, before we were UNCW. (Sylvia was even Wilmington College's first Homecoming Queen!) But there was so much more to Mr. Fisher than his well-known name.

Herbert and Carlton Fisher

Carlton Fisher '83 and Herb Fisher '53
 

The Fisher Memorial Garden was established by Herb and his wife, Sylvia, in memory of Herb’s sister, Emily Fisher Hunter.

Herb funded scholarships because he believed so strongly in the importance of education as a path to success. It was a path he followed, a path he championed, and a path that led him to offer support at every turn. Herb once said that he felt strongly about giving back because he wanted to help make an impact for our students, because "their future depends on what they do here at UNCW." He was someone who embodied the UNCW ideals of hard work, intellectual growth and a passion for business. More simply put, he was a great gentleman, whose friendship will be missed by so many of our administrators, employees, alumni and community partners.

There will never be another Herbert Fisher, but his legacy will live on through the good work he and his family have done for the Seahawk community. We will always be grateful.