Rich Fisher speaks during his Mon-Clair League Hall of Fame induction in 2013.

The community was saddened by the passing of local treasure Rich “Fish” Fisher, 71, late Thursday night following a long battle with cancer and other illnesses.

Fisher was a veteran of the Vietnam War, having signed up for the Air Force in 1963 right out of Waterloo High School. He went on to serve the community as a coach for baseball and softball teams, including the American Legion Post 747 baseball squad for many years.

Fisher, who was a font of local sports history and an avid supporter of athletics, was also very involved in the Mon-Clair Baseball League, serving as its third vice president and scheduler of games from 2000 to 2012. Fisher served as general manager and in other capacities with the Waterloo Millers. Fisher was inducted into the Mon-Clair League Hall of Fame in 2013.

Visitation is set for 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and 8 a.m. until time of service Tuesday at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo. Funeral services are set for 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

“He was a very simple man who taught so many youngsters the fundamentals of baseball… a sport he truly loved,” longtime friend John K. Maurer stated in a tribute on Facebook. “If you were to ask anyone who was from Monroe County about him, they would share a story or two about him — the whole time with a smile on their face. He had so much to offer, but yet it was time for him to move on. I only hope he knows how very much he meant to me and so many others.”

Another close friend, Mon-Clair League Second Vice President Paul Baillargeon, called “Fish” a one-of-a-kind.

“As gruff as he could be on the outside, he was so tender on the inside,” he said.

 For a full obituary, click here.