Curtis Charles “Curt” Fisher, 80, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2025, in Austin, Texas, surrounded by his loving family. Born on March 5, 1944, in Cameron, Illinois, to Irene Anderson Fisher and Frank Fisher, Curt was proud of his Swedish heritage and carried the values of hard work and kindness throughout his life.
Curt is survived by his devoted wife, Deborah; his three sons: Eric (Kenya), Bryan (Lori), and Deron; and his sister Joyce (Tom) Gooding. He was a proud grandfather to nine grandchildren: Kyle, Luke, Megan, Landon, Kendall, Logan, Mason, Austin, and Gavin. He was also a beloved uncle to four nieces and a nephew. Curt was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Janice Fisher Giles of Frederick, Colorado.
A graduate of the University of Illinois, Curt studied engineering and was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity. His professional career spanned over five decades in the high-tech industry, where he excelled as a senior executive specializing in marketing and reseller partnerships. Curt began his career with IBM, where he worked for over 20 years before moving on to leadership roles at Compaq, Sun Microsystems, Lucent, NCR, and 3Com. From 1994 to 1996, he served as Chief Marketing Officer at AT&T, making significant contributions to the company’s growth and success.
Curt’s career took him around the globe, including a relocation to France-a testament to his adventurous spirit and professional dedication. In the latter part of his career, he focused on consulting and mentoring start-ups and early-stage growth companies in the Austin area. His guidance was instrumental to organizations such as Cyber Trust and MI7. Additionally, he shared his expertise with students as a mentor in Baylor University’s New Venture Competition, inspiring future innovators with his wealth of knowledge.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Curt found immense joy in life’s simple pleasures. A passionate golfer, he spent countless cherished moments on the golf course with friends and family. As a member of Austin Country Club, he was often found either on the greens or enjoying camaraderie in the Penick Room. A proud member of Riverbend Church, Curt valued his bible study group and treasured time spent visiting with friends.
Curt’s love for life extended to many interests. A wine aficionado with an impressive collection that reflected his refined taste, he could recommend a restaurant in nearly any city worldwide. He had a special place in his heart for dogs and always had at least one loyal companion-often named Scruffy-by his side. A lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan, Curt never missed a game and supported his team with unwavering enthusiasm through every season.
Known for his kindness and ability to connect with people from all walks of life, Curt never met a stranger who didn’t become a friend. His life was marked by love, adventure, and meaningful relationships that left an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to know him.
Curt’s legacy lives on through his grandchildren who carry forward his spirit of kindness, love, and competitive drive. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A memorial service will be held at Riverbend Church Chapel (4214 N Capital of Texas Hwy., Austin, TX 78746) on February 15th at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Curt’s honor to Austin Pets Alive at donate.austinpetsalive.org/team/628864. May his memory bring comfort to those who loved him.
