Samuel Rankin Fisher, MD, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 25,2015 with his loving family by his side at the age 65 in Durham, North Carolina. He was inducted into the Association in 1994 after being proposed by Drs. William Hudson and William Richtsmeier.
Dr. Fisher received his B.S. degree from Davidson College in 1972 and earned his medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine in 1975. He completed his surgical residency at Duke Hospital in general surgery, and then specialized in Otolaryngology head and neck surgery. After completing his medical education/training. Dr. Fisher joined the faculty at Duke University where he remained for more
than 40 years.
Dr. Fisher was a Professor of Surgery in the Division of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences at Duke University Health System. He was a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, the American Rhinologic Association, and board certified by
the American Board of Otolaryngology. Internationally renowned for his expertise in head and neck surgical oncology, he also had broad expertise in many aspects of Otolaryngology. He was recognized as an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma of the head and neck. Dr. Fisher published significant research in his areas of interest, which included biochemical action of the membranes in
chronic sinusitis and polyposis and the molecular genetic makeup of cancers of the head and neck.
For those who knew him, Sammy was a Southern gentleman, a true character with a gift for humor. He had a love for life and lived it to the fullest. Sammy was a proud dad and granddad, loyal son and brother. He especially enjoyed the game of golf among his other many interests which included cooking, hunting, fishing and gardening. Sammy was also a member of the Iron Dukes, and truly bled Duke blue.
He is survived by his mother Marjorie Rankin Fisher of Winston-Salem, NC; two brothers, Dr. William Sloan (Lynn) Fisher III “Romey” and Evans Watkins Fisher; four children, Samuel Rankin (Carolyn) Fisher, Jr.; Lee Reesman Fisher; Marjorie Randall Fisherand Robert Watson Fisher; and his three month old grandson, Samuel Rankin Fisher ill.