Skip to main content

Robert W. Fischer, 57

Thu, 07/23/2020 - 12:32

Robert W. Fischer, who lived in Montauk where he ran a fence installation business, died in an all-terrain vehicle accident on May 20 in Albany, N.Y. He was 57.

Friends knew Mr. Fischer as Bonzo, a reference to "Bedtime for Bonzo," the 1951 Ronald Reagan movie.

In Montauk, he and his son, Davin Fischer, joined Boy Scout Troop 136, and enjoyed every minute, his wife, the former Lydia Scott, said. He liked fishing, camping, hunting, and riding A.T.V.s with his son, and spent many weeklong trips in the woods. His love for Nascar led the family on at least annual trips from Alabama to Michigan.
Mr. Fischer also was a hiker, and took his daughter, Jessie Fischer, on Adirondack trails.

He had planned to complete climbs of all the Saranac Lake "6er" mountains, six peaks above 2,400 feet, this summer; his daughter plans to finish the three mountains he did not get to for him.

Mr. Fischer was known for his quick wit and sense of humor, an infectious smile, and being kind and compassionate to all who knew him, his family said.

He was born in New Rochelle, N.Y., on Aug. 31, 1962, to Edwin Fischer and the former Helen Roth. He grew up there, graduating from New Rochelle High School in 1980.

He and his future wife met while they were children of about 8 running around a marina where his father ran a restaurant and bar called Rudy's Barge and her father kept a boat. They married on Sept. 24, 1988.

They settled in Montauk, where he had family and saw a business opportunity after living in several places in Connecticut. Montauk was perfect for him in another way, giving Mr. Fischer access to the water aboard his own boat.

In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by a brother, Edward Fischer of Mahopac, N.Y., and a sister, Marilyn Fischer of Montauk.

Villages

‘Professional’ Deer Cull Is Contemplated

The D.E.C. has confirmed the presence on the East End of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in deer. At the same time, East Hampton Town is considering a pilot program to hire professional hunters to cull 100 deer in Springs.

Oct 8, 2026

Helicopter Traffic Took Off in 2026

Traffic to and from East Hampton Town Airport this past summer was up 8.3 percent over last year, the Wainscott C.A.C. was told Saturday, but “the big headline is helicopter traffic was up 26.9 percent versus 2025,” the developer of a flight tracking platform said. 

Oct 8, 2026

Hailing Habitat Volunteers

ChangeHampton, which promotes sustainable landscaping practices on the East End, will celebrate participants in its Humanity for Habitat project at an East Hampton residence Friday at 11 a.m. 

Oct 8, 2026

 

Your support for The East Hampton Star helps us deliver the news, arts, and community information you need. Whether you are an online subscriber, get the paper in the mail, delivered to your door in Manhattan, or are just passing through, every reader counts. We value you for being part of The Star family.

Your subscription to The Star does more than get you great arts, news, sports, and outdoors stories. It makes everything we do possible.