Ellwood Huff Fisher '21: A Tribute

In a career notable for leadership and honors Ellwood Fisher was modesty personified. Hundreds of his kindly acts never reached official records, and he never thought in terms of rewards.

His death in Florida February 26 leaves 1921, Dartmouth, and his home state of Ohio much diminished. He was a former vice president of his class and vice chairman of the Bequest Program. In 1958 he was elected to the Alumni Council, serving for four years during the last of which he was honored with the presidency. He was a member of the original Development Council and later played a top role in the Capital Gifts Campaign. In 1964 he received the Alumni Award for a distinguished career and dedicated service. One of the College's proudest strongholds has always been Cleveland, and no man played a greater role in building the famous Dartmouth spirit in northern Ohio.

In Cleveland his activities stretched out almost to infinity: campaign chairman of the Cleveland Community Fund, honorary trustee of the Young Men's Christian Association, trustee of the Musical Arts Association and of SVIZ (the educational television station), chairman of the Distribution Committee of the Cleveland Foundation, trustee of the Presbyterian Church, trustee of John Huntington Benevolent Trust, and president of the Union Club. Cleveland presented him the United Appeals Distinguished Service Award for his work in developing the Community Chest, United Appeal, and cultural life of the city.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Fenn College, Ellwood was given an honorary doctorate in business administration. At the unveiling of his portrait at Fenn, President Dickey delivered a congratulatory tribute as a surprise, which in part read: "... a rare person. Above and beyond your heavy business responsibilities you find time and talent to provide needed leadership in many volunteer services . . . and doing all this exceedingly well."

Joining the family business upon graduation, Ellwood worked his way through every department of Fisher Foods, eventually building the business to a chain of 80 stores and becoming chairman of the board. With this background, it naturally followed that the Army should commandeer him for service in World War II. As a lieutenant colonel, he won the Legion of Merit Award for his competence in procuring combat rations for the troops overseas.

To his family he affectionarly devoted time and thought: his wife Marion whom he married in 1929; his daughters Corrine (Mrs. Charles Smythe) and Marcella (Mrs. Glenn Anderson); and his son Ellwood M. ("Woody") '60.

In a letter written on his sixtieth birthday to a classmate, Ellwood sized himself up: "My real accomplishments are my family, my business, and my affection for Dartmouth. All three grow stronger and better as I view them along the road ahead."