The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) notes with great sadness the passing of Robert “Bob” Fischer, Director Emeritus of the Foundation Board of Directors.
Bob was a central figure in the history of LRF dating back to his initial meeting with Jerry and Barbara Freundlich, the Foundation’s founders. From that time forward, Bob served the Foundation in various roles as a member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors and was a valued member of its legal and nominating committees.
A lymphoma survivor, Bob, along with his wife Arlene, were dedicated and tireless advocates for lymphoma research and patient support. Bob was a mentor to newly diagnosed lymphoma patients at LRF and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), earning the nickname “Baseball Bob” for this penchant for telling engaging stories and quizzing them about our national pastime during his regular visits with them.
A graduate of Yale Law School, Bob built a legal practice throughout the 1960s in partnership with two friends, growing the firm to employ more than 40 lawyers and additional support staff. Most recently, he served as counsel to the national law firm of Cozen O’Connor, where he practiced mergers and acquisitions and related corporate matters.
Together with Arlene, whose philanthropic work includes serving as President of the New York City chapter of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s Women’s Division, and chairing the Harmonie Club Admissions Committee, Bob was committed to improving the lives of those impacted by lymphoma. He chaired one of LRF’s first galas, an event that contributed substantially to the organization’s growth in its early years
Bob remained in service to people affected by lymphoma for the rest of his life. For this he will be greatly missed.
