Fred J. Fisher ’54

Fred died April 11, 2025, at Fisher Vineyards, which he established in the 1970s.

He prepared at Portsmouth Priory (later Portsmouth Abbey) School in Rhode Island, and was active in basketball, tennis, and publications. At Princeton, Fred majored in basic engineering, joined Tiger Inn, and participated in interdormitory and interclub athletics. He earned an MBA at Harvard in 1956 and served as an officer in the Army from 1956 to 1959. Thereafter followed autos (as might have been expected given his family background), electronics, management consulting, container leasing, and in his words “finally at the age of 40, bingo! That is, vineyards and then marriage to Juelle July 12, 1975.”

Fred purchased his first Napa Valley property in 1973. The firm is now family-run, with son, Robert, as CEO, and daughters Whitney overseeing the vineyards and production and Cameron heading up marketing and hospitality. Juelle founded Sonoma Country Day School, a K-8 independent school, which all three children attended.

The products of Fisher Vineyards have pleased the palates of discerning wine connoisseurs nationally, and most particularly of the members of the Class of 1954, who appreciated Fred’s generous donations for major reunions.

Fred is survived by his wife of 50 years, Juelle; their daughters, Whitney ’98 and Cameron; and son Robert.