Obituary

Bob Fisher, who played an active role in planning and conserving open

space, especially in the coastal areas of Orange County, died April 7 of

cancer. He was 65.

Born Dec. 6, 1937, Mr. Fisher grew up in Long Beach and Balboa Island.

His career in planning and open space conservation began in the early

1970s, when he was appointed the county’s first open space coordinator.

He also served as the county’s director of planning and as director of

Orange County Harbors, Beaches and Parks.

Popular among several local conservationists and environmentalists,

Mr. Fisher was involved in several projects, including writing grant

applications and obtaining funding for improvements at Fairview Park, the

acquisition of eight regional parks and the Newport Dunes recreational

area.

He was also involved in the planning process for the 1,600-acre Bolsa Chica coastal area.

Costa Mesa Councilwoman Libby Cowan, who worked with Mr. Fisher,

called him a “passionate man” who was committed to his work.

“He worked as a consultant for a year in our city to complete the

master plan and begin implementation,” she said. “I think we took good

advantage of his expertise as a planner.”

His daughter, Nancy Fisher-Cannas, said she would remember her father

for “his absolute passion to conserve open space on the coast.”

“He never took the easy route,” she said. “He always did what was

right for the ecosystem and what benefited the public. And he still came

away making friends, even with the people on the opposite side of the

table.”

Mr. Fisher is survived by his wife, Shui Yin; son Nicholas Fisher;

daughter Nancy Fisher-Cannas; and sister Marjorie Hauser. Services were

held Saturday at Unity Community Church in Laguna Hills.