Beloved teacher memorialized in ceremony

Danette Goulet

COSTA MESA -- In a quiet yet emotional ceremony Thursday, students,

faculty, administrators and family members paid homage to Tom Fisher, the

Estancia High School science teacher who passed away in November.

For 33 years, Fisher dedicated his life to the students of Estancia, who

remembered him for his caring demeanor, encouragement and sense of humor.

“He was always there when you needed something,” said junior Charity

Magsig, who was brought to tears during the dedication ceremony. “He was

always caring about students. He would talk to us and share his personal

thoughts.”

The 61-year-old biology teacher died of a heart attack Nov. 22 in the

very classroom in which he dedicated his life to teaching.

Fisher was remembered Thursday with the planting and dedication of a

Hawaiian Palm, which was placed in the school’s science wing where he

taught.

Aside from being an involved teacher, Fisher was an active coach at

Estancia for years. He spent 15 years as the head coach for track and

field and nearly 20 as the freshman football coach.

For that reason, the school has also created the Tom Fisher Memorial

Award for Outstanding Excellence in the Areas of Science and Athletics.

Each year, the name of a senior who has excelled in these areas will be

inscribed on a special plaque.

Although they asked to be left to grieve in November, Fisher’s family

attended the dedication ceremony to thank the school community for all of

their letters and support.

“We’re honored by the presentations of the tributes to my father,” said

Fisher’s daughter, Ann Johnston.

Anthony Fisher, Tom Fisher’s twin brother and the person who knew him

longest, addressed students and faculty, regaling them with stories about

his brother’s youth.

Wayne Kraiss, president of Vanguard University and the father of two sons

who were once students of Fisher’s, also remembered the teacher at the

ceremony.

“He always believed in [students] -- he was an encourager,” Kraiss said.

Although Kraiss’ son roamed the halls of Estancia years ago, his

sentiment proved true with current students as well.

“He pushed us to do things I would otherwise never do,” said 16-year-old

student Desiree Hardy. “When I took his class, he was asking people to

take the Golden State Exam -- I ended up getting honors. I never would

have thought of doing it.”

With the exception of his first three years, Fisher spent his entire

teaching career at Estancia -- he was there since the day it opened.

“Tom Fisher served this school, but he served this community and we’re

all the richer because he came to Estancia,” Kraiss said.