Edward James Fisher, 70
Edward James Fisher, 70, of Post Falls, Idaho, passed away peacefully Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, surrounded by his loving family, following a recent diagnosis and rapid progression of acute myeloid leukemia. Despite having also battled Parkinson’s for the last five years, Ed remained true to himself to the very end, forever humorous, a committed husband, father and grandpa, and a fast friend to many.
Ed was born and raised in Townsend, Mont., to Clarence and Lillian Fisher. He remained there until he graduated high school, then ventured off to college at Montana State University to study music education. There, he met his lifelong companion, Ruth (Ruthie) Powell. They fell quickly and madly in love and married in 1977. The young couple initially settled down in Deaver, Wyo., followed by Bridger, Mont., where Ed was a music instructor at the K-12 level.
After a few years of teaching, Ed discovered that his passion for music was best fulfilled outside his profession and he began studies in Wyoming to become an engineer, with time spent in both Casper and Laramie. In 1984, he graduated at the top of his class from the University of Wyoming with a degree in civil engineering. At that time, he had already been working on campus, part-time for the Wyoming Department of Transportation Design Squad, and they immediately transferred him to Riverton, Wyo., with a promotion to a full-time position.
In 1983, Ed and Ruthie welcomed their son, Daniel, and in 1986, their twin daughters, Jodi and Cara.
Shortly after the girls were born, Ed received a job offer from the Washington Department of Transportation and the family moved to Spokane, where Ed was fortunate to gain a wide array of work experience and also worked for a time at the Washington Department of Ecology, Metropolitan Mortgage Property Development Group, and Adams and Clark consulting firm.
In 1991, the young family relocated to Moscow, Idaho, so Ed could pursue a job at Washington State University (WSU), Facilities Operations. He worked there for 20 years, designing and overseeing a wide range of unique and rewarding projects. He was a problem solver extraordinaire who often took on difficult and unwanted projects that still serve countless numbers of people today. During Ed’s time at WSU, the family laid down long roots in the Moscow community.
In the later chapter of Ed’s life, he and Ruthie navigated through various ups and downs and adventures together relocating for a short time to Santa Fe, N.M., and then to Snohomish, Wash., where Ed worked at the city of Everett for the last six years of his career.
Upon his retirement in March of 2019, Ed and Ruthie moved to Post Falls to be closer to their children and grandchildren and also within proximity to various medical services. There, they were welcomed by the Coeur d’Alene Parkinson’s Support Group family who shared in and helped them embrace, the many challenges associated with this disease. Despite the distance from family, Ed remained committed and devoted to his family, never missing a birthday party, holiday or other important event. He cared fiercely for his children and grandchildren and endlessly supported them in achieving success and independence in life. His family will miss him dearly and forever carry with them many great memories and laughs made together.
Ed was an outdoorsman at heart. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, four-wheeling and spending time on the water in his boat. He had a sweet tooth and loved a good, hearty meal, especially in the presence of the ones he loved. One of Ed’s lasting legacies among his family and friends was his passion for music. Ed loved to “jam” and consistently shared his gift and love of music with others. It didn’t matter the instrument (drums, guitar, bass guitar, piano, singing), he did them all; always with a smile on his face.
Ed was a spiritual man and for much of his life, he served on various religious musical groups, including the Praise Team at the First Presbyterian Church, Lifepoint Church and Real Life Coeur d’Alene, where he could openly worship and praise the Lord God, the Almighty, who he honored first and foremost throughout his life.
Ed never met a stranger and was very thankful for the numerous friends and family he had.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Ruthie; son Dan, daughter-in-law Hannah, and granddaughter Addison of Moscow; daughter Jodi and grandson James of Moscow; daughter Cara Haley, son-in-law Matthew, and granddaughters Kenadie, Kadence, and Kaia of Moscow; parents-in-law Jim and Doris Powell of Helena, Mont.; sister Carla Spackman of Missoula, Mont.; brother- and sister-in-law Doug and Sonia Powell of Helena, Mont.; stepsister Donna Downs of Denver, Colo.; and various cousins, nephews and a niece.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Clarence and Lillian Fisher of Townsend, Mont., and various cousins, aunts and uncles. Ed also leaves behind numerous friends throughout the Pacific Northwest.
A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 16, at the First Presbyterian Church, 405 S. Van Buren St., Moscow, Idaho. The service will be followed by a potluck lunch. Please bring a dish to share if you wish. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider donating in Ed’s honor to the Coeur d’Alene Parkinson’s Support Group, either at the celebration of life or send to P.O. Box 3183, Hayden, ID 83835. Ed’s online memorial can be viewed, and the guestbook signed at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/edward-fisher.
Fisher