Duke D. Fisher

Dr. Duke De Fisher, 75, passed away on January 9, 2014 in Monterey, California of complications from Emphysema and COPD. He was born in Warsaw, Indiana on November 3, 1938. He was the son of George Fisher and Miriam De Friese. He married Linda Kay Gast in 1967 and settled in Los Angeles. Subsequently in 1993, he married Laura Williams and they moved to Pacific Grove. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Indiana University as an undergraduate and received his medical training from Indiana University School of Medicine. He was also in the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity while at Indiana University and did his Psychiatric Residency and Training at UCLA School of Medicine. His research and testimony in front of the United States Senate was instrumental in shaping drug policy and warning the American people of the danger of certain drugs, LSD in particular. His name was referenced in the book, Helter Skelter, and he held meetings with prominent icons like Timothy Leary and Thomas Ungerleider during his psychiatric training at UCLA. He also contributed articles to several publications including textbooks, regarding the complications of hallucinogenic drug use. He was an officer with Oakland Naval Hospital, where he conducted a research inpatient unit from 1968-1970. He worked as a doctor on staff at Del Amo Hospital in Torrance, CA and Oak Creek Hospital and Charter Behavioral Hospitals in San Jose, CA. He also made several TV appearances on The Phil Donahue Show and Art Linkletter, where he spoke about depression. He was a long-time member of the American Psychoanalytic Association and the Los Angeles Institute and Society for Psychoanalytic Studies. He maintained a private psychiatry and psychoanalysis practice for over 40 years, first in Los Angeles and later in Monterey and San Jose, where he specialized in the treatment of depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD and substance abuse. He was a remarkable magician, who enjoyed entertaining his younger patients and grandchildren with his amusing tricks. His personality was electric, and he loved to make those around him laugh. His wit, charisma and intellect will truly be missed by all those that knew him. He is survived by his wife, Laura Fisher; sister, Becky Fisher; son, David Fisher; daughter-in-law, Fernanda Fisher; and grandsons, Justin and Cameron Fisher of Lafayette, California; daughter, Alicia Beaty; son-in-law, Todd Beaty; and grandsons, Landon and Trent Beaty of Ojai, California. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the COPD Foundation at www.copdfoundation.org.