More detail on this person: Jack Fischer, 66, of Carbondale lost his courageous and well-fought
battle with cancer on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008, surrounded by his loving family and friends.
Jack was born April 6, 1942 to Harry and Lucille "Tyke" (Phillips) Fischer.
Jack was a great story teller, avid hunter, fisherman and an outstanding helicopter pilot. His
family was the highlight of his life. He was a wonderful son, compassionate brother, loving husband,
a hero of a father, and a very proud grandpa.
Jack graduated from Glenwood Springs High School in 1960. He went to Mesa State College for a year
but followed his real passion and became a pilot. He married his high school sweetheart, Bonnie
Mortensen, on Aug. 22, 1964.
He then worked as a pilot in Grand Junction for Monarch Aviation until he joined the U.S. Army. He
served his country as a Warrant Officer in the 1st Air Cavalry from 1966-70 as a Huey Gunship
helicopter pilot. He received 33 air medals including the Bronze Star for valor and the
Distinguished Flying Cross for flight actions in combat on Dec. 6, 1967, the day he learned of his
son Steve's birth.
He worked for the Aspen Skiing Company for 17 years as a snowcat operator on Aspen Mountain and
manicured the rough at Aspen Glen for 10 years.
Jack is survived by his wife, Bonnie; sons Steve and Van; daughter Joo Hee Rose; his mother Lucille
"Tyke"; brothers Roger and Ron; and sister Judy Cooper. He has six, soon to be seven, grandchildren,
Keagan, William, Matthew, Hayden, Tenshi, Tianshi and Van's first child due in May '09.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Church at Carbondale. Rifle
Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 01/11/2025
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