Dr. Graham Fisher passed away peacefully but unexpectedly on Monday, December 6,
2021. He is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara; his siblings Michael (Kate) Fisher of
Burnham, Bucks, UK, and Martin (Hazel) Fisher of Stockport, Cheshire, UK; sisters-in-law,
Eileen (Jim) Finkenkeller and Marian (Randy) Mathews; brother-in-law Jim (Nancy)
Koeger; and his nieces and nephews who felt so blessed to know him, Sophie (Jamie),
Duncan (Charlotte), Hannah, Michelle (Gavin), Bill (Robin), Anne (Steven), Mary, Dan,
John, Andy, Phillip (Samantha), Katie (Rita), Emma (Kevin), and Louise (Jon). He is
preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Vera Fisher of Marlow, Bucks, UK.
Dr. Graham Fisher received a B.Sc. degree in physics from the University of Salford in
England in 1973 and a Ph.D. in Materials Science from Birkbeck, University of London in
1986. Graham worked at General Electric Co., Borehamwood, Herts, UK for 12 years,
then left to join Monsanto (which eventually became MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.) in
1985 at the Milton Keynes, UK facility as a Senior Research Scientist. This began his
lifelong passion for all things related to silicon wafer technology to support the
semiconductor industry. Over the next three decades, Graham rose through the ranks at
MEMC, holding several positions of increasing responsibility in manufacturing and R&D,
eventually retiring as Chief Scientist as well as Director of Intellectual Property and
Director of Emerging Technologies. Graham is remembered by his colleagues for his wide
breadth of knowledge of silicon; his deep insight into intellectual property and patents;
his longtime leadership, dedication, and promotion of the Fellow Program (the company’s
technical ladder program); and his good English manners supplemented by his keen jovial
wit. Graham always had time for his coworkers throughout his tenure and beyond,
encouraging and helping his many mentees to succeed and leaving behind a permanent
footprint that touched many colleagues. Graham authored or co-authored over 40
published papers and holds 2 patents. He was a member of the IEEE and the
Electrochemical Society.
Among his many interests, Graham loved music, including The Beatles, The Rolling
Stones, and the blues, and he lived one of his dreams by playing in a blues band with
friends. He was an adventurous traveler and photographer and a member of the St.
Louis Camera Club. Graham believed deeply in the value of education, and directed
many of his efforts toward fostering academic learning. He served on several boards,
including those of the St. Charles Community College Foundation and the St. Louis
Academy of Science. Graham was exceptionally generous with his time and his wisdom,
which he shared abundantly with his family, friends, and colleagues. Graham was a
loving husband and held his many nieces and nephews and the rest of his family very
close to his heart.
Services: Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, December 27, at Kutis Affton
Chapel, 10151 Gravois Road. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday,
December 28, in the Chapel at Mason Pointe Lutheran Senior Services Community
Center, 13190 S Outer 40 Rd., Town & Country, MO. Doors open at 9 a.m. Donations in
lieu of flowers can be made online at www.stchas.edu/give for St. Charles Community
College, toward the Graham R. Fisher Endowed Scholarship Fund; or to Sweet Babies,
www.sweetbabies.org, for assisting underserved mothers with newborns.
Dr Fisher inspired me early in my career when I was young, inexperienced, and filled with self doubt, to keep learning and keep growing. He was kind and generous with his time, and I’ll be forever grateful for the gentle encouragement he offered when I needed it badly. Rest in Peace.
Dr Fisher inspired me early in my career when I was young, inexperienced, and filled with self doubt, to keep learning and keep growing. He was kind and generous with his time, and I’ll be forever grateful for the gentle encouragement he offered when I needed it badly. Rest in Peace.
Barb, I am so sorry. What an interesting man. You are in my prayers.
Barb, I am so sorry. What an interesting man. You are in my prayers.
Please accept my deepest condolences and know you are in my prayers… I absolutely loved working with Graham – what a tremendous individual to work with and learn from…
Please accept my deepest condolences and know you are in my prayers… I absolutely loved working with Graham – what a tremendous individual to work with and learn from…
Graham was a great man and was instrumental in getting me my first job out of college at MEMC. He was a great mentor over my 9 year career at MEMC. My prayers and condolences to the family.
Dr. Brian Gilmore
Graham was a great man and was instrumental in getting me my first job out of college at MEMC. He was a great mentor over my 9 year career at MEMC. My prayers and condolences to the family.
Dr. Brian Gilmore
I met Graham when he first came to Missouri. I was to help him with his first assignment. It was a project designed to help familiarize him to the St. Peters plant and fulfill a much needed goal of turning tons of unorganized parametric data into meaningful information. We worked closely together for his first few months in an effort to figure things out. We became very good friends in the process.
Graham and I enjoyed frequent deep and meaningful philosophical conversations together on topics such as art, politics, and religion, to name a few. We shared a deep passion for music and photography. Graham was my hero. I hold may fond memories of him. He was an amazing person who led an incredible life. I’m lucky to have known him. He was a good friend. He will be missed by all who knew and love him.
I met Graham when he first came to Missouri. I was to help him with his first assignment. It was a project designed to help familiarize him to the St. Peters plant and fulfill a much needed goal of turning tons of unorganized parametric data into meaningful information. We worked closely together for his first few months in an effort to figure things out. We became very good friends in the process.
Graham and I enjoyed frequent deep and meaningful philosophical conversations together on topics such as art, politics, and religion, to name a few. We shared a deep passion for music and photography. Graham was my hero. I hold may fond memories of him. He was an amazing person who led an incredible life. I’m lucky to have known him. He was a good friend. He will be missed by all who knew and love him.
My deepest condolences Barbara.
My deepest condolences Barbara.
Barb and Family, my deepest and sincere condolences at the loss of Graham. Words can’t express my sadness. He was a kind, terribly funny, humble, incredibly intelligent man. He was never too busy to stop and talk or answer questions. He never thought he “knew it all” (even though he probably did), but was always open to other ideas, opinions, or just thoughts. His footprint will last forever in the silicon business world as well as on our hearts. All of our lives are richer for having known him.
Barb and Family, my deepest and sincere condolences at the loss of Graham. Words can’t express my sadness. He was a kind, terribly funny, humble, incredibly intelligent man. He was never too busy to stop and talk or answer questions. He never thought he “knew it all” (even though he probably did), but was always open to other ideas, opinions, or just thoughts. His footprint will last forever in the silicon business world as well as on our hearts. All of our lives are richer for having known him.
Condolences to the family from Nick & Rose Sarno
Condolences to the family from Nick & Rose Sarno
I was fortunate to have the opportunity working for Graham at MEMC. After I joined Kansas State University as an assistant professor in 2000, he soon became an adjunct professor in my department and served on the advisory committees for several PhD students. He came to visit us every year for many years, giving seminars and guest lectures, attending PhD dissertation defenses, and meeting with faculty and students. He co-authored more than 20 journal papers with me and my PhD students. He has touched and impacted many people’s lives (including me and my students). Graham is a great boss, an amazing scholar, a true friend, and a gentleman. He will live in our memories for ever.
I was fortunate to have the opportunity working for Graham at MEMC. After I joined Kansas State University as an assistant professor in 2000, he soon became an adjunct professor in my department and served on the advisory committees for several PhD students. He came to visit us every year for many years, giving seminars and guest lectures, attending PhD dissertation defenses, and meeting with faculty and students. He co-authored more than 20 journal papers with me and my PhD students. He has touched and impacted many people’s lives (including me and my students). Graham is a great boss, an amazing scholar, a true friend, and a gentleman. He will live in our memories for ever.
I first met Graham in Edinburgh, in 1986, just as Monsanto Electronics Materials Company was opening a new “mini” silicon plant in Milton Keynes, England. We worked alongside each other in Applications and Technology for three years, then, when the plant closed in 1989 we both moved to Italy, to work in Novara, for the “new” MEMC Electronic Materials Corporation – no longer Monsanto. Graham was not only a pleasure to work with, he was a good friend, both to myself and to my family. He was both impeccably professional in his work ethic, was respected throughout the European semiconductor industry and within MEMC by the people he worked with. In his private life he was a good friend to many people, his open attitude, his honesty and his respect for the views of others saw to that. I, my family and many people have been saddened to lose Graham so early. His last two years with us were cruel, he did not deserve the ending that came so fast. Our condolences go out to Barb, to her family and to Graham’ family. Graham will be missed.
I first met Graham in Edinburgh, in 1986, just as Monsanto Electronics Materials Company was opening a new “mini” silicon plant in Milton Keynes, England. We worked alongside each other in Applications and Technology for three years, then, when the plant closed in 1989 we both moved to Italy, to work in Novara, for the “new” MEMC Electronic Materials Corporation – no longer Monsanto. Graham was not only a pleasure to work with, he was a good friend, both to myself and to my family. He was both impeccably professional in his work ethic, was respected throughout the European semiconductor industry and within MEMC by the people he worked with. In his private life he was a good friend to many people, his open attitude, his honesty and his respect for the views of others saw to that. I, my family and many people have been saddened to lose Graham so early. His last two years with us were cruel, he did not deserve the ending that came so fast. Our condolences go out to Barb, to her family and to Graham’ family. Graham will be missed.
I am so sorry to hear the sad news. Deepest condolences to Barbara and the entire family. Graham was always a gentleman and always great to work with. He will be missed by all.
I am so sorry to hear the sad news. Deepest condolences to Barbara and the entire family. Graham was always a gentleman and always great to work with. He will be missed by all.
I had the distinct privilege (and daunting task) of following in Graham’s footsteps as Chief Scientist after he retired. I was fortunate to have been able to overlap with him and get his tutelage. He was nothing but gracious with his time and supportive in the transition. I can see why he touched so many over the course of his life. My deepest condolences.
I had the distinct privilege (and daunting task) of following in Graham’s footsteps as Chief Scientist after he retired. I was fortunate to have been able to overlap with him and get his tutelage. He was nothing but gracious with his time and supportive in the transition. I can see why he touched so many over the course of his life. My deepest condolences.