Final Salute

Henry (Hank) Edward Fischer, 94, of Detroit Lakes, died on Dec. 31, 2020.

Hank was born to William and Oline (Hegg) Fischer, in Glenwood, on Sept. 29, 1926. He graduated from Glenwood High School in 1944 and enlisted in the Navy at 17 years old. Hank saw active duty in Okinawa, Japan, during WWII as a Seabee, constructing aircraft runways on islands freed by Allied forces in the Pacific. After the war, he attended St. Cloud University, where he lettered on the tennis team.

Hank was hired by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) in 1952 as a surveyor in the Moorhead area. During his tenure, he continued his education and earned his licensure as a professional engineer in 1964. He retired from his dream job at age 62 as Lead Engineer of Surveys and Right of Way for MNDOT District 4.

Hank met Betty Gullander in 1952 on the ski slopes in Glenwood, where Betty lived and worked as an elementary school teacher. They married in December 1954 and settled in Detroit Lakes. Hank was proud to be part of the Detroit Lakes community. He was an active member of First Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council. He also served on the City’s Police Commission and the Public Utilities Commission.

Hank’s love of sports kept him healthy and youthful the majority of his life. He enjoyed golfing, skiing and ski jumping, tennis and sailing. He played competitively in tennis and golf tournaments in Detroit Lakes and won numerous trophies. His motto was “keep moving” and he skied into his 60s and played tennis and golf into his 80s. Hank was also an amateur birder and talented whistler, and was known to imitate his favorite bird calls to the delight of his grandchildren.

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