DePauw Mourns the Passing of Trustee John W. Fisher

June 30, 2009

June 30, 2009, Greencastle, Ind. — John W. Fisher, a member of DePauw University's Board of Trustees since 1966, passed away Sunday in Muncie, Indiana. He was 93 years old.

The retired president and chairman of Ball Corporation was not a DePauw graduate, and began his four plus decades of service to the University while two of his sons, Jim and Jeff, both 1968 graduates of DePauw, were in college. John Fisher served as the vice chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1977 to 1983. He was named an Advisory Trustee in 1983 and served in that capacity until he was named a Life Trustee in 1991.

He and his wife, Janice, established the Fisher Faculty Development Fund in 1981 which has provided DePauw faculty members innumerable opportunities for professional growth over the years. DePauw University recognized his many career and personal accomplishments with an honorary Doctor of Civil Law degree in 1981.

Mr. Fisher was chairman of the Ball Brothers Foundation and Ball Memorial Hospital's heart center was named in his honor in January.

An editorial in today's Muncie Star Press cites Fisher's "commanding presence, active intellect and remarkable business acumen that laid the groundwork for Ball Corp. to move into the 21st century." It also notes his "continuing commitment to his adopted hometown (which) has been a stabilizing force in recent troubled times. His was a voice of reason and civility -- something that seems to be missing from much social discourse today. He was among the last of the giants of industry and of the community, whose likes probably won't be seen again in these changing and more informal times. He will be greatly missed."

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m., Thursday, July 16, at High Street United Methodist Church. There will be no calling hours. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com.

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