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Dr. Frank John Fischer, Jr., 90 years young, of Winter Haven, Florida, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Dr. Fischer lived a life defined by love, compassion, and loyalty. He dedicated his 90 remarkable years to caring for others, cherishing his family, and finding joy in the beauty of music and life itself. A well-known and respected ophthalmologist, he earned the admiration of colleagues and patients alike for his skill, dedication, and compassionate care.

Dr. Fischer was born on October 6, 1935, in Cleveland, Ohio. Following his father’s tragic death in 1944, he moved with his mother, Martha Forbes Fischer, and his three sisters to Babson Park, Florida. Martha later married Robert H. Wetzel, who lovingly embraced Dr. Fischer and his sisters as his own. The family grew further, blessing him with four more sisters and two brothers, one of whom sadly passed shortly after birth.

He attended Lake Wales High School where he excelled as a student and fulfilled his love for music by playing the trumpet in the band. He graduated as Valedictorian of his class in 1953 and decided to pursue the medical profession because of his passion for science and helping people.

Dr. Fischer went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine from the University of Notre Dame in 1957 and continued his education at the University of Florida College of Medicine. He opted for an internship at Case Western Reserve, University Hospitals of Cleveland, where he proudly discovered that some at the hospital still remembered working with his father, Dr. Frank John Fischer.

He was drafted during the Vietnam conflict and received an assignment to the flight surgeon school in Pensacola, Florida, where he received extensive flight instruction. He was a Navy Flight Surgeon attached to the Marines in Da Nang, Vietnam. With the Helicopter Search and Rescue Division, he was awarded two Air Medals for 58 missions under fire.
Upon his return home, Dr. Fischer completed his residency in ophthalmology at the University of Florida, during which time he met the love of his life, Katherine “Kathy” Fulenwider Fischer. In 1968, he joined the ophthalmology practice of Dr. Richard Copenhaver and Dr. Howard Lucas in Winter Haven, Florida. Six years later, he started his own practice and was joined by Dr. Gary Schemmer in 1986, Dr. Jonathan Silbiger in 1993, his son Dr. Frank J. Fischer, III in 2000 and Dr. Alexei Moraczewski in 2007. He continued to practice up until his passing and planned to retire this month. His patients and employees remember him not only for his skill and steady hands, but for his kindness, patience and genuine interest in every single person who walked through his door.

Dr. Fischer was deeply committed to serving his community. He held numerous leadership roles, including president of the medical staff, chief of surgery, and chairman of several committees at Winter Haven Hospital, as well as serving on its board. He also served as president of the Polk County Medical Association, the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Winter Haven, St. Joseph’s Catholic School Board, and the Florida Society of Ophthalmology. In addition, he was a council member for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a board member of United Way of Central Florida, and an active supporter and sponsor of Theatre Winter Haven. He generously offered free ophthalmology care to uninsured residents of Polk County through WeCare of Central Florida.

In recognition of his many contributions, Dr. Fischer received the Bankers Cup Award for Outstanding Man of the Year in 2000 from the Winter Haven Area Chamber of Commerce and was named Winter Haven’s Citizen of the Year.
When not serving others, Dr. Fischer found joy in life’s simple pleasures—cheering on his grandchildren at their sporting events, attending performances at Theatre Winter Haven with Kathy, golfing with friends, kayaking on Lake Otis, savoring fine wine and good meals in the company of loved ones, and listening to his favorite jazz tunes.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Fischer’s heart belonged to his family and to music. Simply put, his life was a symphony­—rich in love, service, and joy—and his melody will continue to play in the hearts of all who knew him.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Katherine “Kathy” Fulenwider Fischer, and their children: Katherine “Kaki” Lucas (David Lucas, MD) of Clermont, Florida; Frank J. Fischer III, MD, of Winter Haven, Florida; and Martha “Mardy” Fischer (Colin Lacroix, MD) of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He was a devoted grandfather to seven grandchildren—Katherine Lucas, Michael Lucas, Caroline Fischer, Elizabeth Fischer, Colin Lacroix, John Lacroix, and Lauren Lacroix.
He is also survived by his sisters Elizabeth (Lloyd) Sutter of Greenville, North Carolina; Cordelia (Jerry) Fedele of Madison, Ohio; Carol (Carroll) Ferguson of Stockbridge, Georgia; Cova (Ralph) Jacobs of Babson Park, Florida; Eleanor Wetzel of Babson Park, Florida; Mary Margaret (Greg) Hoecker of Winter Haven, Florida; and Jennifer Parrish of Winter Haven, Florida; and by his brother, Dr. Robert (Bina) Wetzel of Poland, Ohio. He is additionally survived by 36 nieces and nephews, all of whom cherished him deeply.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Frank John Fischer, mother, Martha Fischer Wetzel, stepfather, Robert Harvey Wetzel, brother, William Forbes Wetzel and brother-in-law, Henry Lane Fulenwider.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or the Winter Haven Rotary Foundation, PO Box 484, Winter Haven, Florida 33882.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Winter Haven, Florida on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. with Fr. Richard Sutter officiating. Family and friends are invited to join in remembrance of a man who saw the best in everyone and made the world a better place with his presence.

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Dr. Frank Fischer Obituary | Altogether