Max Martin Fisher(July 15, 1908 – March 3, 2005) was an Americanbusinessmanandphilanthropist,and presidential advisor. Fisher founded Aurora Gasoline, an oil company that ownedSpeedwaygas stations. After selling the company, he was chairman ofUnited Brandsand several other companies and invested in large-scale real estate projects.
Max Fisher | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Max Martin Fisher July 15, 1908 |
| Died | March 3, 2005(aged 96) Franklin, Michigan,U.S. |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 5, includingMary |
| Relatives | Stephen M. Ross(nephew) |
| Website | Archives |
A major fundraiser for Republican Party candidates, Fisher was an advisor on Middle East and Jewish issues to every administration from PresidentDwight D. Eisenhowerto PresidentGeorge W. Bush.[1]
Fisher spent much of his life raising money for philanthropic endeavors. For more than forty years, he led civic organizations, organized business leaders, and helmed investment efforts in Detroit. Outside Michigan, he supported American Jewish and Israeli causes.
Life and career
editFisher was born inPittsburgh,Pennsylvania,toRussian Jewishimmigrant parents and grew up inSalem,Ohio,where his father owned a clothing store. He attendedOhio State Universityon afootballscholarship and graduated with a degree in business administration in 1930. While a student at OSU, he was initiated into the Alpha Epsilon chapter of thePhi Beta Deltafraternity, which is now part of thePi Lambda Phifraternity.[2]
In 1930, Fisher joined his father's Keystone Oil Refining Company, a motor oil reclamation business, in Detroit as a $15-a-week salesman before forming his own company in 1932.[1][3]He grew the business, Aurora Gasoline, into one of the largest gas station chains in theMidwestbefore selling the business in 1959 toMarathon Petroleumfor $40 million.[4]After retiring from management in 1963, he sat on the board ofComerica,the consumer and investment bank,Sotheby's,andUnited Brands.
Fisher reinvested his fortune in major real estate deals. In 1977, he joined withTaubmanandHenry Ford IIto buy the 73,000-acre (300 km2)Irvine Ranchsouth of Los Angeles for $337 million; Fisher's group would sell the property six years later for an estimated $1 billion.[4][dead link].
For decades, Fisher served as a trusted advisor toU.S.presidents andIsraeliprime ministers, rallying for causes from theSix-Day WartoEthiopianJewry.By quietly forging new ties betweenWashingtonandJerusalem,he pioneered a new era in American Jewish activism and politics and was considered the elder statesman of North American Jewry. In 1975, he was asked to personally mend relations between the Gerald Ford administration and Israeli leadership.[1]Jimmy Carterinvited him to watch the signing of theCamp David Accordsin 1977.[3]
From the 1960s through the 1980s, Fisher was one of the most successful fundraisers for the Republican Party. He was a delegate from Michigan at the1964,1968,and1976Republican National Conventions, and an alternate in the1988Republican National Convention.[5]
Philanthropic activities
editJewish organizations
editFisher supportedJewishand general causes worldwide and played a major role in almost every major Jewish communal organization. Fisher served as national chairman of UJC's predecessor organizations, theUnited Jewish Appeal(UJA) from 1965 to 1967; president of theCouncil of Jewish Federationsfrom 1969 to 1972; and chairman of theUnited Israel Appeal, Inc.(UIA) from 1968 to 1971; and president of theJewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroitfrom 1959 to 1964. He served as Honorary Chairman ofUnited Jewish Communities(UJC), Council of Jewish Federations, and the American Jewish Committee.[1]
In addition to being honorary chair of UJC, he was founding chairman of the board of governors of UJC's overseas partner, theJewish Agency for Israel(JAFI). He was also active in theAmerican Jewish Committee,B'nai B'rith International,andHebrew Immigrant Aid Society.
Detroit
editInDetroit,Fisher backed the $60 millionMax. M. Fisher Music Center,which serves as the home for theDetroit Symphony Orchestraand includes a public high school for the performing arts center called The Max.[6]
Ohio State University
editHe also donated around $20 million to finance Ohio State University'sFisher College of Businessfor development of a new six-building business campus that opened in 1998. An additional pledge of $5 million was given to theFisher College of Businessin February 2005 to supportMaster of Business Administrationprograms.
Personal life and family
editFisher was married twice:[7][8]
In 1934, he married Sylvia Krell who died in 1952. They had one child, Jane Fisher Sherman,[7][8]former chairman of theUnited Israel Appeal, Inc.(UIA) and former co-chair of theJewish Agency for IsraelCommittee on Israel.[9]
In 1953, he married Marjorie Faith Switow. They had two children together: Julie Fisher Cummings[7][8]and Marjorie Fisher Aronow.[7][8]Switow also had two children from her prior husband, George Allen Frehling, whom Fisher adopted:Mary Fisher,AIDSactivist[7][8]and Philip William Fisher, who founded the charityMission Throttle[7][8][10]
Fisher has 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Fisher financed the schooling of his nephewStephen M. Ross,[11]who called him, "the most important role model and inspiration for me in life".[12]
He died March 3, 2005, at about 11:30 am in his home inFranklin, Michigan,surrounded by family. He is interred at the Clover Hill Park Cemetery inBirmingham, Michigan.[5][13]
Wealth
editIn 2004, Max Fisher had amassed anet worthof $775 million. At 96, he was the oldest member of theForbes 400.[citation needed]
Legacy
editFisher was the subject of articles, debates, TV documentaries, and an authorized biography,Quiet Diplomatby Peter Golden.[14]
Historical documents
editMax Fisher's papers are available for public research at theWalter P. Reuther Libraryin Detroit, Michigan. The library's website explains that, "This large collection documents Fisher's life and career as a successful Detroit industrialist and investor, influential Republican Party fundraiser and power broker, Jewish community leader, and major philanthropist. It includes correspondence, documents, speeches, interviews, photographs and other media, and documents from his biographer."[15]
B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO) Involvement
editIn March 2006, a male chapter ofBBYOwas founded by 12 young men from the state of Michigan with the name of Max Fisher AZA (AZA standing forAleph Zadik Aleph,the male sector of the organization). Following the foundation, the chapter was officially recognized by the Fisher Foundation in early April. The chapter's charter number is #337. Since Fisher's charter in 2006, the chapter has flourished at the chapter, regional, and international level. Four times has a member from Fisher AZA served as the President for all of Michigan Region BBYO; even though the chapter has only been around for 10 years, an International President has already hailed from Fisher. Fishermen always set the standard for how to behave in BBYO; in fact, they have won the Sportsmanship award at Michigan Region's Regional Convention many times since its founding. Each year several members represent Michigan Region by attending BBYO's International Convention in February, and by attending countless summer programs around the globe each summer, many of which focus on building leadership skills. Fisher has won several awards, including the Henry Monsky award which recognizes the most outstanding chapters across the International Order. On a more local level, each year several Fishermen apply for individual awards including the Bronze and Silver Stars of David (recognizing outstanding participation) and the Tree of Life Award (recognizes those individuals who bring more members into the order via recruiting). Additional awards are available for those who excel in community service as well. Recently, Fisher has received publicity for starting a Platform Database which hosts several hundred platforms of individuals' candidacy for office from around the world. The platforms range from the chapter level, to the regional and international levels as well.[16]
Telegraph Road
editOn November 30, 2005,PresidentGeorge W. Bushsigned the 2006 appropriations bill related to theUS Department of Transportationand other agencies. Contained in that law was a provision that named a 30-mile (48 km) stretch of Telegraph Road (U.S. Route 24) fromI-96to its northern end atI-75the "Max M. Fisher Memorial Highway";[17]the highway was dedicated in May 2008.[18]
References
edit- ^abcd"Max Fisher, 96, Philanthropist and Adviser to Presidents, Dies",The New York Times,March 4, 2005.
- ^Makio.Columbus: The Ohio State University. 1929. p. 211.
- ^ab"Max Fisher: Giant of philanthropy".Jewish Historical Society of Michigan.West Bloomfield Township, Michigan.RetrievedJanuary 8,2021.
- ^ab"Max Fisher: A lifetime of power and passion",Detroit News, March 4-2005.[dead link]
- ^abKestenbaum, Lawrence(August 19, 2019)."Jewish Politicians in Pennsylvania (religion or ancestry)".The Political Graveyard.RetrievedJanuary 8,2021.
- ^"The Max Rocks",Metro Times,December 3-2003.ArchivedNovember 13, 2013, at theWayback Machine
- ^abcdefNew York Times:"Max Fisher, 96, Philanthropist and Adviser to Presidents, Dies" By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSMarch 4, 2005
- ^abcdefDetroit Free Press:"Max Fisher, Detroit benefactor, dies at 96" BY BILL MCGRAWMarch 4, 2005
- ^Crain's Detroit Business: "Carrying on Max's vision: Fishers continue legacy of giving" By Sherri WelchMarch 14, 2010
- ^Detroit Jewish News: "Phillip Fisher's Mission Throttle is breaking new ground in the world of giving"May 31, 2012
- ^Murray, Tom (June 4, 2015)."Family Ties: Stephen M. Ross parlayed two family loans into a multibillion-dollar enterprise".dbusiness.RetrievedOctober 10,2015.
- ^"Ross' connections with Michigan".michiganross.RetrievedOctober 10,2015.
- ^"Max Fisher: A lifetime of power and passion",Detroit News,March 4-2005.[dead link]
- ^"Quiet Diplomat: A Biography of Max M. Fisher (Hardcover)",Amazon.com, June-1992.
- ^Ergas, Aimee."Collections Spotlight: Max M. Fisher Papers".Walter P. Reuther Library.Wayne State University.RetrievedJune 24,2015.
- ^"Changing teens lives every day".Changing teens lives every day.RetrievedJune 30,2020.
- ^United States Congress(November 30, 2005).Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006.Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.Pub. L.109–115 (text)(PDF).
- ^Hopkins, Carol (May 5, 2008). "Max Fisher Honored with Sign Dedication".Oakland Press.Pontiac, MI.OCLC15217724.