By Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer

St. Cloud historian Robert Fisk was known to give lectures to schoolchildren at the St. Cloud Heritage Museum and keep meticulous records of events, whether via newspaper clippings; old, yellowed photographs or his own typewritten accounts.

“He was so interested in the history,” Alma Fisk, his wife of 64 years, said. “He felt it should be preserved.”

Fisk, 91, died Friday, eight days after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

The museum was a daily stop for him, one where he never forgot to bring a postcard or photograph for donation, museum curator Lucille McClure said. She knew his health was fading when he donated his replica Civil War uniform — complete with pistol, rifle and hat — two months ago. Fisk wore the uniform at city parades and events.

“He was a giver, not a taker,” McClure said.

Fisk spent years at the museum, not only teaching children, but donating some of the massive amounts of historic artifacts he had accumulated, much of which still decorates his office.

“He never threw anything away,” Alma Fisk said.

In addition to being the local historian, Fisk also was the local funeral director, often passing out unorthodox business cards with sayings such as “Drinking and driving brings us closer together. Fisk Funeral Home.” and “Thanks for smoking. Your local undertaker.”

Fisk, who inherited his family’s funeral home in the 1950s after serving in the Navy in World War II, worked up until four months before his death for families who requested him.

“He was very sweet, patient and kind,” Alma Fisk said. “A dripping faucet didn’t faze him at all.”

Bob Fisk, as he was known, also was an avid serviceman and activist, participating on the board of directors of various local organizations. Alma Fisk said her husband’s resume is five pages long.

He served for 20 years with the Osceola Mental Health and served on the Salvation Army’s board for 25 years, part of that time as chairman.

Fisk was instrumental in providing a library to St. Cloud residents and was a member of the Library Study Commission for 20 years.

“One of the reasons we have the library system we do is because he walked the streets for support,” Alma Fisk said. “He felt the library was essential.”

Other organizations Fisk participated in included being president of the St. Cloud Lions Club, the former president of the Florida Funeral Director Association and serving as an ordained deacon and elder at St. Cloud Presbyterian Church.

In the late 1970s, Fisk also was president of the St. Cloud Greater Osceola Chamber of Commerce. Current Chamber president David Lane said the city has lost an “irreplaceable building block” and others who knew him were made better people by his friendship.  

“In his 91 years, he not only knew most of St. Cloud history, he was throughout his years a living part of that history. Those who may not have had the opportunity to know him are still enriched by the work he did to record and narrate that history, which is preserved for future generations,” Lane said. “His energy, spirit, stories, jokes and general good humor made him a popular and beloved man.”

Bob Fisk also is survived by his son, William Fisk, of North Carolina, his daughter Susan Klaasen, of Malabar; four grandchildren and one great-grandson.