Feb. 21, 2000

LOS ANGELES - Robert A. (Bob) Fischer, a lifelong UCLA Bruin, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 20. Fischer, a resident of Encino, died of congestive heart failure at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica. He was 78 years old.

Fischer, who was elected to the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988, served as UCLA's Director of Athletics for three years (1980-81 through 1982-83). During his tenure, UCLA won eight NCAA team titles, including five in one year, and also captured the 1983 Rose Bowl.

In 1980-81, his first year as athletic director, the men's program won an NCAA title in volleyball and finished fifth or better in five other sports. In 1981-82, the first year the NCAA offered championships in women's sports, UCLA won became the first school to win five NCAA team titles in one year, earning them in men's tennis, men's volleyball, men's swimming, women's softball and women's track and field. During the 1982-83 school year, UCLA won NCAA titles in men's volleyball and women's track and field while the football team won the Pac-10 title and defeated Michigan in the Rose Bowl. Overall, the Bruins placed 12 athletic teams among the nation's top 10.

Fischer, a native of San Francisco, was athletic director in early May of 1980, effective July 1. He succeeded his longtime friend, the late J.D. Morgan, who retired from the position on October 29, 1979, due to health reasons. At the time, Fischer was named acting athletic director.

The University's choice to take over the reins of the department after a nationwide search, Fischer had spent 16 years as Morgan's top assistant. He joined the Bruin athletic department in September 1964, as assistant director, became associate director in August of 1978 and was appointed acting director in October of 1979. Together, Morgan and Fischer brought UCLA to the pinnacle of the collegiate athletics world.

Among his many duties during his tenure as Morgan's top assistant were the overseeing of the operations of the UCLA Promotions and Athletic Ticket Offices, as well as being involved with football and basketball scheduling and serving as department liaison with the Sportsmen of the South, one of UCLA's athletic support groups.

A graduate of UCLA, Fischer attended Sacred Heart High School in San Francisco. While serving in the U.S. Navy, Fischer came to UCLA in 1943 to participate in the V-12 program. In 1945, he earned a B.S. in Business Management, Finance, Marketing and Accounting.

While a student at UCLA, he was very involved in student affairs. He was a member of ASUCLA Board of Control, a representative-at-large on the Student Executive Council, chairman of the Cal Club and All-U-Sing, and a member of numerous committees, including Homecoming and Stadium Executive.

Prior to graduating from UCLA, Fischer attended Naval Officer Supply School at Harvard University.

He then returned to UCLA, taking a job in the Business Office, where he served from July 1946, through September 1951. For the next five years, he was involved in University affairs while off-campus. In September 1956, Fischer was named executive manager of Sportsmen of the South. He held that position until September 1964, when he joined the athletic department as Morgan's assistant.

His widow Liliane, also a UCLA graduate, his four children, Larry, Diane, Michele and Denise and his 10 grandchildren survive Fischer, a member of the original Pavilion committee which led to the construction of Pauley Pavilion.

A mass for Fischer will be held on Friday, Feb. 25 at St. Cyril's Catholic Church, 15520 Ventura Blvd., beginning at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the UCLA Department of Athletics.