Though he toiled in a laboratory out of public view, Dr. Edwin Fisher's legacy is evident throughout the world, in the hundreds of pathologists he has trained and, more importantly, the thousands of patients who benefited from his research.
"He is a major figure in pathology, both nationally and worldwide," said Dr. Jan Silverman, chairman of pathology at Allegheny General Hospital.
Dr. Fisher, who died Thursday in Florida while undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer, was a professor of human oncology for Drexel University College of Medicine at AGH at the time of his death at age 84.
Probably no siblings have contributed more to breast cancer research than Dr. Fisher and his brother, Dr. Bernard Fisher, who started the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project.
They hadn't set out to work together, said his brother, a surgeon. "I think he had an intense interest in trying to know more about the disease, rather than just to treat it or just to talk about it. He was interested in studying the basis of the disease."
That expertise complemented NSABP's goal of improving women's chances of surviving breast cancer. He was among the earliest researchers to report that cancer is often systemic, which meant that simply removing a tumor would not eliminate the disease. That finding was confirmed in NSABP's clinical trials incorporating chemotherapy agents.
The Pittsburgh native graduated from the University of Pittsburgh Medical School and, after stints at the Cleveland Clinic and the National Institutes of Health, joined the Pitt faculty in 1958.
Dr. Fisher was director of laboratories at the Oakland VA Hospital for 16 years and held a similar post at Shadyside Hospital from 1970 to 1993. He remained at Shadyside in an emeritus position until 1997 when he moved to AGH.
In 1992, Dr. Fisher received the Philip S. Hench Distinguished Alumnus award from the Pitt School of Medicine. In 1960, he and his brother shared the honor of the Junior Chamber of Commerce as Pittsburgh's Man of the Year in Medicine. Over the course of his career, he authored more than 600 peer-reviewed studies.
Dr. Fisher applied the same high standards to his personal life as he did his professional life, said daughter Marjorie Baum of Monroeville. "He strived for excellence in everything he did. He was a passionate person about the things that meant a lot to him." Foremost among them, she said, was a belief in doing what was right and what was fair.
"He grew up with very old-fashioned ideals, ones I hope my children will follow and emulate."
Dr. Fisher and his wife, Carole, had recently moved to Oakland after living in Squirrel Hill for many years. In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by another daughter, Abbe Anolik of Point Breeze, his brother Dr. Bernard Fisher of Squirrel Hill, and three grandchildren.
Friends will be received one hour before a 2 p.m. funeral service tomorrow at Ralph Schugar Chapel, 5509 Centre Ave., Shadyside. Entombment will be at Beth Shalom Cemetery. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
First Published: March 15, 2008, 4:00 a.m.
