Obituary of Peter Fischer

Peter Fischer, 91, of Schenectady, died on Friday, December 23, at home, surrounded by his family. Mr. Fischer was born in Brno in Czechoslovakia to Oskar and Sofia Fischer. His father was a doctor. The family was torn apart during the Nazi invasion and occupation of the country. Mr. Fischer was sent to the Theresienstadt (Terezin) death camp in Czechoslovakia. He was later sent to Auschwitz in Poland, Schwarzheide in Germany, and then back to Theresienstadt. He miraculously survived all of the German death camps and was among those liberated by the Soviet Army in May 1945. After being freed, Mr. Fischer walked home to Brno. After the war, Mr. Fischer studied mechanical engineering in Czechoslovakia, earning a college degree. He met Gertrude Adler, who was born in Czechoslovakia and was also a survivor of the German camps, in 1948. He proposed to her four days later. Mr. Fischer and his wife emigrated to Israel in 1949. He joined the young Israeli Air Force in 1949 and later worked as a civilian airplane mechanic. He, his wife and two daughters moved to the United States in 1958 and settled in Queens, eventually moving to Westbury, Long Island. After retiring, Mr. Fischer and his wife moved to Schenectady in 1989 to be closer to their three grandchildren. His hobbies included reading, especially books about World War II; fixing items and mechanical devices around the house; and washing and working on his cars. Mr. Fischer volunteered in numerous organizations. He lobbied the New York State Legislature for AARP and taught math to immigrants at Abrookin Career and Technical Center in Albany. He especially enjoyed refurbishing old airplanes for Empire State Aerosciences Center (ESAM) at Schenectady County Airport. Mr. Fischer is survived by his wife: Gertrude; his daughters: Ruth Clayman of Schenectady and Ronit Fischer of Scarsdale, N.Y.; his sons-in-law Arthur Clayman of Schenectady and Bruce Stockler of Larchmont, N.Y.; seven grandchildren: Laura, Andrew, Benjamin, Asher, Hannah, Barak and Jared; and two great-grandchildren: Elan and Talia. Funeral services were held on Monday at Congregation Gates of Heaven in Schenectady. The period of mourning will be observed at the home of Ruth and Arthur on Tuesday ( TODAY) from 4-6pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Animal Protective Foundation, 53 Maple Avenue Scotia,NY 12302 or the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands, New York 12204