Mr. Fisher’s Legacy

Born in Pittsburgh in 1908 to Russian Jewish immigrants, Max Fisher grew up in Salem, Ohio, where his father owned a clothing store. He attended The Ohio State University on a football scholarship. In 1930 he entered the oil business for Keystone Oil, eventually building a thriving concern in oil and real estate. The oil business was later sold to Aurora Gasoline, a company Fisher would chair for 27 years. Following the sale of Aurora to Marathon Oil, Fisher invested his fortune in real estate. He became a leader in the Detroit Jewish community, the national Jewish scene, and supporter of nonsectarian charities.

A statesman and philanthropist, some of Mr. Fisher’s civic activities included: Founding Chairman of Detroit Renaissance, Founding member and Chairman of New Detroit, member of the Board of Sinai Hospital, Detroit Institute of Arts, Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce and served both as President and Chairman of the United Foundation of Detroit (now known as the United Way for Southeastern Michigan). 

During his lifetime Mr. Fisher received more than 50 awards including the Presidential Citizens Award, presented by Ronald Reagan, the Alexis de Tocqueville Society Award of the United Way of America, William Booth Award by the Salvation Army, Distinguished Citizen Award from Wayne State University and the Ben-Gurion Centennial Medal from the State of Israel Bonds.