Daniel William Fisher Obituary (1955 - 2021)

Born Feb 14, 1955, Daniel William Fisher attended William Byrd High School in Vinton, VA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Daniel William Fisher.

Graduation Year	Class of 1972
Date of Birth	Feb 14, 1955
Date of Passing	Sep 14, 2021
About	Valentine’s Day 1955. The best day ever for Ralph Wade Fisher and Edith Mae Chisom Fisher of Roanoke, VA … the day their dear sweet boy Daniel William Fisher was born. Danny – warm, friendly, funny, sincere – grew up in Roanoke surrounded by lots of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Buddy and Carolyn Rymer became a part of his family when he was a young teen. All of whom he cherished throughout his life. He began taking piano lessons at a very young age which continued for several years. He would liven up the day when he played. He enjoyed listening to a wide range of music, and was a voracious reader of all kinds of fiction and non-fiction, especially those related to science. In his later years, he enjoyed reading and viewing works by Carl Sagan and Stephen Hawking, and solving New York Times crosswords. Danny graduated from William Byrd High School in 1972. He worked in residential construction for a time. He also worked at a warehouse, a window company, a sign company. He liked to stay busy, but he also knew he needed to go back to school. In the late 1970’s he attended Virginia Western Community College. While there a NASA representative was recruiting students for their apprenticeship program in Hampton, VA. Danny was among those selected. He received his Associate of Applied Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology at VWCC in the fall of 1982, and completed NASA’s apprenticeship for Engineering Technician in Aerospace Model Development in Nov 1983. He continued his education and finally received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics at Christopher Newport College in May 1992. Danny’s career at NASA began late September 1980. A young recruit with limited funds meant living with roommates. Danny had warm, fond memories of each and every one – Don, Hank, Jess and Dave. Danny worked in the machine shop and model shop at NASA. He really loved the physical creativity and ideas behind each project. Due to an allergic reaction to resin fumes, he left the model shop and began two life-changing ventures in October 1985: as a Mechanical Engineer Technician, Danny began working with Jim Puffenberger in Resource Control Section of Fabrication Division at NASA, as a married man. Danny and Tammy were married on October 12, 1985 at the home of her parents, William Patrick “Bill” Williams and Hilda Grey Blalock Williams. Ralph and Edith were there. Everyone had big grins on their faces. My dad had flood lights (for photos) that may have been seen from space if it were not for the roof on Azalea Drive. Danny enjoyed socializing with friends and meeting new people. He was a member of the Roanoke Leisure Club, and a member of the NASA Bowling League, and His & Hers Bowling League. After forty wonderful years at NASA Langley, Danny retired on April 15, 2021. He had made many enduring friendships along the way and had worked on many interesting projects. Danny passed away peacefully in Newport News on Tuesday evening, September 14, 2021, with his wife by his side and his mom and family via telephone. Danny is survived by his wife of nearly thirty-six years, Tammy, and his mom Edith. He is also survived by his “sisters and brothers” Carolyn and Wayne King, Tina Merilic, Peggy and Brian Bourque, and Johnsie and David Sowder. Three of his loving aunts also survive him: Frances Chisom, Christine Fisher and JoAnne Fisher. He will also be missed by several nieces and nephews and many wonderful cousins and dear friends. A memorial service will be held in Roanoke, VA on Saturday, October 23, 2021, at Riverdale Baptist Church, 1624 Edgerton Avenue SE, Roanoke, VA 24014, led by his cousin Carolyn Hughes. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm. The service will begin at 2:00 pm. A second memorial service will be held outside the gate at NASA Langley, Hampton, VA at 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 6, 2021. Casual attire and fond memories are most welcome.