Born in Boaz, Ala., Mr. Fischer grew up in Gentry, Ark., and earned degrees from the University of Arkansas and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Fischer retired from Texas Instruments Inc. in 1984 as executive vice president and principal financial officer after a 29-year career that spanned the spectrum from concentrated research responsibilities to worldwide semiconductor operations. Fischer served on the Dallas Mayor’s High Technology Advisory Council, the Metroplex High Technology Education Task Force, the University of Texas at Dallas Development Board, and the Task Force on Performance Management in Texas Education. Fischer, along with Dr. Robert E. “Buddy” Babcock and their families, established the Elizabeth Babcock and Mary Frances Kelly Endowed Fund in Chemical Engineering to fund faculty development, student scholarships, graduate student stipends and fellowships, faculty research and development initiatives, and innovative and inspirational teaching. Fischer was a member of Tau Beta Pi and was inducted into the Engineering Hall of Fame and honored as a Distinguished Engineer by the University of Arkansas in 1981. He was named to Who’s Who in the World in 1980. Mr. Fischer and his wife Elizabeth of 50 years had two children, Vicki Morse and Richard Fischer.

Arkansas Academy of Chemical Engineers, Honorary Member, 2009.