Rodney Ray Fisher passed away Wednesday, May 14 at his home in Albany Oregon. He died of complications arising from emphysema and Alzheimer's Disease and was 76 at the time of his death.

Born on February 19, 1938 in Sidney NE. to Francis and Audrey Fisher, he was the third child of five. Rod grew up in Albany, where he graduated from Albany Union High School in 1956. Soon after graduation he started working in the electric motor business and continued that vocation till his retirement. He loved working with his hands and was a skilled craftsman (with both wood and metal) as well as a very successful self-taught electrical engineer.

In 1981, Rod founded Fisher's R.P.M. Electric, a shop that served the repair needs of the many industries of Albany, including but not limited to: Paper and lumber mills, farms, foundries, metal fabricators, food processing plants and anything else that needed a motor repaired, installed, modified or simply improved. He was also an inventor contributing at times to projects as varied as alternate fuels, electric cars, wave energy systems, car restoration, and shop efficiency. One of his inventions (the shaft grounding system) was patented, and led to the formation of of another company, SGS in 1992. The company has been highly successful and now sells shaft grounding systems in all 50 states and around the world. Both businesses are still servicing the Albany community. Rod was a man who was in constant motion, and if you needed him, the first place to call was always his shop. If he wasn't there you could try him at home, where he would be found fixing things on the house or enjoying a beer on his deck as he watched the birds and view. But remember to call the shop first.

Rod leaves behind a legacy of friends and acquaintances who all appreciated his bright blue eyes (that often sparkled with mischief), and his drive to get things done right. He is survived by his wife of 38 years; Patricia J. Fisher, his 5 children; Roderick D. and his wife Trisha Fisher of Salt Lake City, Utah; Michael Fisher of Salem, Oregon; Kimberly K. and her husband Brian J. Shaw of Beaverton, Oregon; Kevin J. Fisher of Renton, Washington, Jon L. Egging of Houston, Texas, his 5 grandchildren; Kyle B. and Tanner J. Fisher of Salem Oregon, Connor R. and Mason G. Shaw of Beaverton Oregon, Hazel E. Egging of Houston Texas and his siblings; Jacqueline Morris and Mark Fisher, and also sister-in-law Linda and husband Wayne Nelson and son David Fisher.

HIs wife would like to thank Evergreen Hospice in Albany and the Mennonite in-home caretakers for their help and compassion as well as all those that came to visit Rod.

A celebration of life will be at 3:30 pm on Saturday May 17 at AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home.