Richard Fischer
November 04, 1946 - March 18, 2025
Obituary
Richard “Rick” Varik Fischer, a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
Born on November 4, 1946, in New Rochelle, NY, he was the son of the late Johan “Hans” and Catharina “Toos” (Van Varik). His family had recently emigrated from the Netherlands after his father was promoted to help establish the U.S. office of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Raised in Harrison, NY, he grew up immersed in a world of travel, frequently visiting the Netherlands and other European countries to connect with relatives and friends. Given this exposure to aviation and exploration, it was only natural that Rick developed a deep passion for flight—one that fueled his adventurous spirit and his zest for life.
In 1966, he graduated from Westchester Community College with an Associates degree in Mechanical Technology and then he went on to study Aeronautical Engineering at Northrop University in Inglewood, CA. Just before 1970 he returned to NY where he worked as a Programming and Systems Analyst for Nynex/Bell Atlantic/Verizon. He enjoyed spending summers in the Hamptons where he met the love of his life, Kathleen Paulsen. They were married March 10, 1984 at the Hopewell Reformed Church in Hopewell Junction, NY and they built a beautiful home where they shared 39 years of marriage until she preceded him in death on May 21, 2023. They vacationed in the Caribbean, Europe and around the US with the Hamptons and Montauk holding a special place in their hearts. Rick was a self-proclaimed hippie who also enjoyed hot rods, photography, concerts, books, and art. He will be fondly remembered for his ever-present smile and signature peace sign—never saying "goodbye," but always parting with "peace and love."
Rick cherished and is survived by his sons, Andrew Fischer and his wife Stephanie of Midland, MI and Jeremy Fischer of Chandler, AZ. He will be missed by his grandchildren, John (Chandler) Fischer and Steven Fischer of Midland, MI, Benjamin Fischer and Samantha Fischer of Chandler, AZ and his great granddaughter Charley Kathleen Fischer; his brother, Robert (Dawn) Fischer; brother-in-law, Thomas Paulsen; sisters-in-law, Francine Fischer, Margaret (John) Sullivan, Mary (Ralph) Celentani, Donna Paulsen and his cousins and friends in the Netherlands and across the US. He will also be remembered as a dear uncle to his many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, Rick was preceded in death by his brother, Johan “Hans” Fischer; his brother-in-law, Timothy Paulsen; his sister-in-law, Carol Paulsen and his father and mother-in-law, Thomas and Grace Paulsen.
Honoring Rick's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private memorial will be held in New York at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of Fischer Family Funeral Services of Saginaw, MI, 989-755-8277.
To share a special memory or photo, please visit Rick's tribute page at www.fischerfuneral.com.
Born on November 4, 1946, in New Rochelle, NY, he was the son of the late Johan “Hans” and Catharina “Toos” (Van Varik). His family had recently emigrated from the Netherlands after his father was promoted to help establish the U.S. office of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Raised in Harrison, NY, he grew up immersed in a world of travel, frequently visiting the Netherlands and other European countries to connect with relatives and friends. Given this exposure to aviation and exploration, it was only natural that Rick developed a deep passion for flight—one that fueled his adventurous spirit and his zest for life.
In 1966, he graduated from Westchester Community College with an Associates degree in Mechanical Technology and then he went on to study Aeronautical Engineering at Northrop University in Inglewood, CA. Just before 1970 he returned to NY where he worked as a Programming and Systems Analyst for Nynex/Bell Atlantic/Verizon. He enjoyed spending summers in the Hamptons where he met the love of his life, Kathleen Paulsen. They were married March 10, 1984 at the Hopewell Reformed Church in Hopewell Junction, NY and they built a beautiful home where they shared 39 years of marriage until she preceded him in death on May 21, 2023. They vacationed in the Caribbean, Europe and around the US with the Hamptons and Montauk holding a special place in their hearts. Rick was a self-proclaimed hippie who also enjoyed hot rods, photography, concerts, books, and art. He will be fondly remembered for his ever-present smile and signature peace sign—never saying "goodbye," but always parting with "peace and love."
Rick cherished and is survived by his sons, Andrew Fischer and his wife Stephanie of Midland, MI and Jeremy Fischer of Chandler, AZ. He will be missed by his grandchildren, John (Chandler) Fischer and Steven Fischer of Midland, MI, Benjamin Fischer and Samantha Fischer of Chandler, AZ and his great granddaughter Charley Kathleen Fischer; his brother, Robert (Dawn) Fischer; brother-in-law, Thomas Paulsen; sisters-in-law, Francine Fischer, Margaret (John) Sullivan, Mary (Ralph) Celentani, Donna Paulsen and his cousins and friends in the Netherlands and across the US. He will also be remembered as a dear uncle to his many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, Rick was preceded in death by his brother, Johan “Hans” Fischer; his brother-in-law, Timothy Paulsen; his sister-in-law, Carol Paulsen and his father and mother-in-law, Thomas and Grace Paulsen.
Honoring Rick's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private memorial will be held in New York at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of Fischer Family Funeral Services of Saginaw, MI, 989-755-8277.
To share a special memory or photo, please visit Rick's tribute page at www.fischerfuneral.com.
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Memories
SF
Stephanie Fischer
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SF
Stephanie Fischer
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SF
Stephanie Fischer
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JB
Jerry Beebe
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Rick was very special to me, enjoyed visiting with Rick at Candlestone. I believe we connected in our own way, would have liked to know him in early life, we prayed together and when we visited and pretty close to last , Rick told me , God bless and said to me, to be a good boy, that was his Mandate to me , which I’ll hold from now on! Rick left a very carrying family and Daughter-in-Law. I’ am Blessed to know them! Thank you to the Fisher family for allowing me to be part of Rick’s life, He will be missed!
JB
Jurry Besuyen
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I have great memories of Rick. We are related from the Dutch side. My grandmother was “Jo” van Varick, the sister of “Toos”, so my father “Kuch” and Rick where nephews. I made a trip to the States in 2005 together with my father and stayed at Rick and Kate’s place. So much hospitality, a lovely time and great company.
In 2011 me and my wife made the a similar trip to the states and again had a great time, again with so much hospitality.
Rick will be dearly missed by his dutch family, we wish everyone that knows him all the best in dealing with this loss.