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Samuel Rankin Fisher, MD

November 30, 2015 By Hall-Wynne 7 Condolences

Samuel Rankin Fisher, MD, died on Wednesday, November 25, 2015, with his loving family by his side. He was sixty-five years old.

Dr. Fisher was a Professor of Surgery in the Division of Head and Neck Surgery and 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 experience 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. He had a thriving and successful practice at Duke for more than 40 years, during which time he helped to train many current head and neck surgeons.

A native of Winston-Salem, NC, “Sammy” graduated from Reynolds High School in 1968, 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.

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 many other 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 Fisher III “Romey” and his wife, Lenn, of Winston-Salem, NC, and Evans Watkins Fisher of Hickory, NC; four children, Samuel Rankin Fisher, Jr., and his wife Carolyn, of Columbia, SC, Lee Reesman Fisher of New York, NY, Marjorie Randall Fisher, of Raleigh, NC, and Robert Watson Fisher of Hillsborough, NC; and his three month old
grandson, Samuel Rankin Fisher III. His father, William Sloan Fisher, Jr. predeceased him.

Visitation will be held from 6-8pm on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at Hall-Wynne Funeral Home in Durham. A memorial service will follow on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at 11:00am at Goodson Chapel at the Duke Divinity School.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Duke Cancer Institute supporting Melanoma and Skin Cancers c/o Dr. Samuel R. Fisher & Dr. H.F. Seigler Melanoma Research Fund (https://www.gifts.duke.edu/dci).

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Filed Under: Durham, Obituaries

Condolence Messages

  1. James & Deanie Boyd

    November 30, 2015 at 1:44 pm

    Sending loving thoughts and prayers to the family during the very difficult time.

    Reply
  2. Audrey Searcy

    December 1, 2015 at 5:01 pm

    Sam, I am so sorry to hear of your father’s untimely passing. All of us at Dealers Supply are keeping you and your family in our prayers and hope that time will soon begin to heal the hurt you are feeling now.
    Please let me know if there is anything we can do.

    Audrey

    Reply
  3. Thomas & Loretta Ramsey

    December 2, 2015 at 1:15 pm

    May memories of “Dr. Samuel Fisher” and the love of family surround you and give you strength in the days ahead.

    Reply
  4. Thomas & Loretta Ramsey

    December 2, 2015 at 1:21 pm

    As a patient of Dr Fisher for more than 25 years , “May memories of “Dr. Samuel Fisher” and the love of family surround you and give you strength in the days ahead.”

    Reply
  5. The Family of Beatrice Eudy

    December 3, 2015 at 9:52 pm

    Our entire family was saddened to hear of the death of Dr. Fisher. He helped to prolong our mother’s life for 25 years. She passed away in Feburauy of this year at the age of 83. We all feel like we lost another family member. RIP Dr. Fisher!

    Reply
  6. Jimmy White

    December 27, 2015 at 1:47 pm

    I am so sorry to hear about my friend and doctor. Dr Fisher has kept me going for 29 years . Always a joke to keep me laughing and words to my wife to give her hope.Helping us both fight cancer.
    I always left Durham with the thought that he would help me make it.
    Where in this world will we find a doctor like him?
    God Bless you Doc!

    Reply
  7. Ralph Snyderman

    December 28, 2015 at 12:41 pm

    I greatly liked and admired Dr. Sammy Fisher, an esteemed member of our Department of Surgery at Duke. He will be dearly missed by his many colleagues and patients. He has one of the great ones.
    Ralph Snyderman, M.D.
    Chancellor Emeritus
    Duke University

    Reply

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