On December 13, 2024, Max “Wayne” Fischer, devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, passed away at the age of 71. Born on June 4, 1953 in Chester, Pennsylvania, he was the oldest of seven children to Rolf Kurt Fischer, Sr. and Muriel Joan Johnson. Wayne spent most of his youth in Pennsylvania and Florida.

Wayne served in the Navy from 1971 to 1973. He met his wife, Deborah Smith, during his college years while participating in the play South Pacific. Wayne and Deborah married on December 21, 1974. They had 5 children: Kimberly, Kurt, Lydia, Christopher and Laura. Wayne’s career as a U.S. Merchant Marine Officer led the family to multiple homes throughout the eastern U.S. until settling in Texas. He enjoyed serving others and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Wayne’s hobbies included: spending time with his family, shooting pool, playing card games, fishing, sailing, swimming and playing his guitar and drums. He was an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan, though his children choose not to hold that against him. Wayne, known as Pop-Pop to his 12 grandchildren, loved spending time being a grandfather and encouraging mischief among his grandkids. He remained close with his brothers and sisters, and loved opportunities to hear about his nieces and nephews.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Rolf and Muriel Fischer, and his sisters, Rebecca “Becky” Sellers and Cynthia “Cindy” Fischer Stegmire. His fun-loving spirit lives on in his beloved wife of nearly 50 years, Deborah; his five children and their spouses: Kim and her husband, Troy; Kurt and his wife, Angela; Lydia and her husband, Mark; Chris and his wife, Jennifer; Laura and her husband, John; as well as his grandchildren: Natalie, Kailey, Tylor, Payton, Konnor, Nathan, Avery, Melody, Everly, Daedalus, Maverick and Theandra. He also leaves behind his 3 brothers and their wives, Rolf Jr. & Deborah Fischer, Mark & Cynthia Fischer, David & Barbara Fischer; his brother-in-law, William “Buddy” Sellers; and his sister and her husband, Ruth & Scott Strickland; as well as multiple nieces and nephews.

While we are deeply saddened by Wayne’s passing, we are grateful for the many years of love and memories we shared with him. He will be remembered for his love of family, his faith in Jesus Christ, his competitive nature in games, his preference for 1970s rock-and-roll music, and his love of laughter.

Mosiah 16: 8-9 “But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed in Christ. He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.”