Younger sisters, brother recall new bishop as a doting big brother, great role model

DETROIT — Bishop Robert J. Fisher always had a penchant for taking care of his flock. Even when his flock was only his three younger siblings.

From chauffeur and candy distributor, to Scout leader and camp confidant, newly appointed Bishop Fisher made a point to do what was asked of him in his role as a big brother. It’s a trait his siblings say will serve him well as the Archdiocese of Detroit’s newest auxiliary bishop.

“Being the oldest in the family, we couldn’t have asked for a better brother,” said Michele Parish, the second-oldest in the family. “When he drove around us girls in high school, my parents knew we would be well taken care of. He was always giving, always kind.”

Robert Joseph Fisher was born Sept. 24, 1959, to Robert and Trudy (Torzewski) Fisher, the oldest of four children, including Michele, born in 1961; Barb (Kimmel), 1964; and Jeff, 1967. Bishop Fisher relished his role as a leader, his siblings say, serving as a role model as the family grew up in Epiphany Parish in Detroit before moving to St. Bede in Southfield.

With Bishop Fisher’s father working at Holy Cross Cemetery for the Archdiocese of Detroit and later for Chrysler Corporation in Center Line, and his mother a stay-at-home mom, the children’s parents looked to the young Robert to watch over his younger siblings. And they, in turn, looked to Robert to spoil them from time to time.

“He was always very thoughtful, a good role model,” Barb Kimmel said. “When we were younger, he had a paper route, making money that way and going to the candy store and buying us treats.”

The Fishers — especially Robert, Jeff and their father — would spend most of their time outdoors in the summer, and part of Bishop Fisher’s training as a role model came from his involvement in the Boy Scouts, in which Robert Sr. was a Scout leader.

Church also played an important role in the lives of the Fishers, which included nuns and a priest in the extended family. The Fisher children sang in the choir at St. Bede, and Robert was known to lead his younger siblings in “playing Mass” at home, using potato chips as communion wafers.

After graduating from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School in 1977, Robert went on the University of Detroit, earning a Bachelor of Science in management science and working summers at the CYO camp near Port Sanilac.

It was there that Robert discovered his calling to the seminary, a decision his siblings said surprised them, but only at first.

“It was a little bit shocking when he announced he was going to become a priest,” Kimmel said. “He thought about it for such a long time, but I didn’t know he was thinking about it. But I remember thinking, ‘This is such a good fit.’ When he was in the seminary, there is this different kind of happiness that overcame him. He found his niche, he found his calling, what he was supposed to do in life.”

Upon his ordination, the Fisher family said they were proud of their older brother, but one of their relatives had even greater plans for him. One might even say prophetic plans.

“When he became a priest, it just made perfect sense,” Paris said. “My Uncle John said, if my dad didn’t become a priest, one of his kids would be. We were brought up in an environment that was open to church life, open to the place he was coming to. But with Uncle John, he said of course Robert will become a bishop, and then he’ll become a cardinal.”

While it’s yet to be seen where the future will take now-Auxiliary Bishop Fisher, one thing is certain: Uncle John has been right so far.

When Bishop Fisher received the call from the apostolic nuncio, his first visit was to his parents, who were living with Kimmel and her family.

“My dad has Alzheimer’s, but when he heard Robert was going to be made a bishop he said, ‘I knew it,’” Kimmel said.

“It’s strange thinking about your brother as a bishop,” Kimmel added. “But he’s happy, excited, and it makes sense. He’s always willing to do what’s asked of him. I know these changes aren’t easy, your role changes from priest to bishop, but he’s always been willing to do what’s asked of him.”

Jeff Fisher, who is eight years younger than Bishop Fisher, said the qualities and characteristics that made him a good big brother will translate well as a pastor among pastors.

“He’s very thoughtful, he thinks of others before himself, and that’s the strongest quality that will make him successful as a bishop,” Jeff Fisher said.

While the mixed feelings of shock, joy and validation run through the Fisher family, Paris can’t help but think back to the cold Detroit nights when her older brother would drive her and her friends to plays at U of D Jesuit and stop for a late-night pizza.

“One minute you’re thinking, ‘Wow, this is beyond what I could have imagine,’ and then I stop and think about it more, thinking, ‘God, you got this one right.’ You could not go wrong with my brother; he has unwavering goodness.”

His goodness is reflected in his leadership abilities and willingness to go wherever his heart is led; whether that means driving his sisters to plays or taking a summer job at a CYO camp, his sense of service seems to open up to other possibilities.

However, one of Bishop Fisher’s best qualities, his siblings say, is his ability to involve others in his leadership.

“When I say that he’s a good leader, he doesn’t do it on his own,” Kimmel said. “He really incorporates others around him. It’s not my way or the highway. He loves people and always had a passion for young kids.”

Being the leader of three siblings growing up in Southfield might not qualify as preparation for being a bishop, but to Bishop Fisher’s siblings, Pope Francis’ selection of their older brother makes perfect sense.

“It’s still funny to think about sometimes, that my brother is a bishop,” Jeff Fisher said. “But at the same time I’m very happy for him and I think they made a great choice. Thinking back to his priestly ordination, remembering the whole pomp and circumstance, how special it was, this (his episcopal ordination) is just as special, and I know God will give him the strength needed to do his duty, as he’s always done for us."

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For more stories about the ordination and background of the Archdiocese of Detroit's new auxiliary bishops, Bishop Robert Fisher and Bishop Gerard Battersby, check out The Michigan Catholic's special section.