John Kazmaier is writing this Blog. His computer is down but will be up and running soon. You may recall an earlier Blog I had on Artisan Rob Fisher. John wrote an article for the Altoona Mirror on Rob's passing.

Altoona Lost a Friend

Bellefonte sculptor Rob Fisher passed away Sept. 13 of heart failure. In 1978, early in his career, the Downtown Altoona Progress Association commissioned Fisher to create a sculpture titled "Silver Chief" for 11th Avenue.

At that time, Fisher proposed a sculpture park for in-town Altoona comprised of six or seven pieces to be located in various places throughout the downtown area. The Silver Chief was to the the first in this series. Fisher always remembered his early  Altoona commission.

Twenty-five years later, the idea was rediscovered in a discussion with Fisher at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Altoona. At that time, Fisher was asked to put his concept on paper. This phase was underwritten but the Greater Altoona Economic Development Corporation and the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation.

From that plan came the Semi-Fore sculptures for the new seventh street bridge, which were fabricated and installed by Blair Sign Corp. of Altoona and dedicated in fall 2005. This part of the project was underwritten by Penn-DOT.

At the time of death, plans were under way with Fisher for a third commission-a railroad engine, the Steam-liner, to be located across from the Mishler Theater. Fortunate, with plans in progress on paper, his final works for Altoona's sculpture park can be completed.

John Kazmaier
Hollidaysburg