Memories of Joel Matthew Fischer

In memory of

Joel Matthew Fischer

Portland, OR

June 6, 1983 - January 8, 2021

Jun 6, 1983 - Jan 8, 2021

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Liwen Chang

2009, Portland, OR, USA

Easter beer hunt

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Lindsey Morgan Novinger

James Howbert

Seth Cohen

Seth Prickett

Lee Ramos

Lindsey Morgan Novinger

Jennifer Rapf

Seth Cohen

When my partner and I hiked the Oregon and Washington section of the PCT Joel became our own personal trail angel. He met us numerous times along the trail, following us south along our travels. Each time he showed up he brought us snacks, love, and endless fun - something we desperately needed having spent so much time away from home in the woods. After taking a break in Portland for a couple days Joel insisted that he be the one to take us back to the trail to send us on our way. This photo was taken right before we left back to the trail. I will never forget the 3 days of camping with him and Seth at the Rosery Lakes. A highlight of our trip that inspired many more celebrations with Joel and his community.

In many ways Joel was like my life long trail angel. After taking me under his wing in high school, inspiring and encouraging me to go to OSU, he traveled anywhere and everywhere to come and find me, always showing up with love, his thirst for adventure, and his big heart and generosity.

From Davis, CA, to the PCT to most recently South America and countless other adventures in between... Joel, you will always be my forever trail angel.

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Jeanne Marie

James Howbert

Meredith Shield

Gina Williams

Seth Prickett

Lindsey Morgan Novinger

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Alissa Keny-Guyer

2018, OLCV dinner

With Courtney Graham and Sen. Michael Dembrow

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Gina Williams

Seth Prickett

Mohamed Alyajouri

Lindsey Morgan Novinger

N Kots

2009, Portland, OR, USA

I knew Joel because he and my younger sister went to school together. I will never forget this special moment in 2009. A co-worker told me that she would be headed to OSU to accept an honorary degree for her late father who was forced to leave school during World War II and sent to an internment camp.
I came to learn that Joel was one of the students behind making that possible for over 40 people. He was so accomplished. I am so sorry for your loss Fischer family

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Jeanne Marie

Lindsey Morgan Novinger

Gina Williams

James Howbert

Joel was a brother, to me, to everyone. He was also a son, a very proud son who genuinely loved his mother and father more than anyone I know. He traveled the world, talked to everyone, and most likely mentioned his family. My heart, my soul, my spirit, is with Joel's family as we move through this passage of grief.

So many things to say about Joel, I don't know where to begin. We met the 2nd day of college and were immediately hooked on each other. He saved me from joining a frat, thank god. We did everything together for the next 4 years, and many more after. Lots of roadtrips, eating, slumber parties, drinking, and all around adventuring. Most of my best memories are with Joel by my side. He taught me how to be loyal, thrifty, and emotionally vulnerable. Although we grew apart in recent years, I think about him everyday.

Joel, I promise I'm gonna finish the book I'm reading and eventually travel the world. Love you buddy 😭😭😭

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Lindsey Morgan Novinger

Alissa Keny-Guyer

Jeanne Marie

Sondra Nolan

Gina Williams

lindsay Keys

Troy Young

Chuck Sheketoff

Shared a heart

Alissa Keny-Guyer

Gina Williams

Comments:

Chuck Sheketoff

I'm stunned. I hope the memories of Joel give strength to all those who knew him. I'm stunned. I hope the memories of Joel give strength to all those who knew him. I'm stunned. I hope the memories of Joel give strength... Read more

Meredith Shield

We have set up a meal train to help Joel's family during this time.

https://www.mealtrain.com/tra…

XX Meredith

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Nathan Howard

Olivier Cappitt

Lindsey Morgan Novinger

Jeanne Marie

Gina Williams

Seth Prickett

Tracy Wurzburg

I’m so sorry to hear this news. It really shook me and took a few days to process. The news actually encouraged me to reach out to a few people I hadn’t spoken to in years that also knew Joel. It later had me thinking about how much that really reflected on him. He was a person that brought together many different people and connected them through good times; creating great memories along the way. My thoughts are with his family and close friends that will feel that loss on a daily basis.

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Lindsey Morgan Novinger

Jeanne Marie

Gina Williams

Rainier Butler

2013, Salem, OR, USA

I didn’t know Joel well but remember working with him when I worked for then Rep. Mark Johnson (yes - we have that in common...) and he was always just a warm and genuine dude. A good guy. He cared about what he did and made a point to connect with people. Scrolling through the names of people who knew him well, worked with him, or barely knew him, all speaks to what a wonderful person he was and how much he’ll be missed.

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Molly Woon

Lindsey Morgan Novinger

Jeanne Marie

Meredith Shield

Jennifer Rapf

2019, Bordeaux, France

Lindsey Morgan Novinger

Jennifer Rapf

2019, Monflanquin, France

Lindsey Morgan Novinger

Comments:

Nicholina Terzieff

Those 2 fingers tho! ✌️ Those 2 fingers tho! ✌️ Those 2 fingers tho! ✌️

John Wykoff

2015, Government Camp, OR, USA

Meredith Shield

Tricia Chin

Lindsey Morgan Novinger

Brian Powell

I loved the look Joel would get on his face just before he was about to win a game. The last time I saw him, there was a group of us that played games late into the night, it was so much fun--that's how I'll remember him.

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Meredith Shield

Lindsey Morgan Novinger

Nathan Howard

Jeanne Marie

Sondra Nolan

Don/David Edmunds/Lomnicki

Joel was one of the nicest guys. We met him at Ainsworth United Church of Christ. He was full of many layer of interest. He was genuine.

Our prayer to the Fischer family. Rest peacefully Joel.

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Lindsey Morgan Novinger

Jeanne Marie

Kai Braun

Shared a heart

Sondra Nolan

I haven't seen Joel in years, but I remember him fondly and always enjoyed his presence and intellect. During the time we crossed paths, I found myself in the corner of a party or bar discussing literature with Joel on more than one occasion. And in the years since, social media showed me that Joel was making his dreams come true, with a meaningful life that included travel and love. To Tricia, and all of Joel's family and friends, there are no words. I am so sorry for your loss.

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Lindsey Morgan Novinger

Jeanne Marie

Patrick Danforth

praying for you

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sabastuan allen

Praying for all close friends and immediate family, send love and strength in this unfortunate loss!! Joel you will live forever in the memories we've created throughout our years and I'm grateful to have known you as a classmate, a friend and a brother!!!

Rest Easy 🙌🏾🙏🏾

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Lindsey Morgan Novinger

Jeanne Marie

sabastuan allen

Shared a heart

Kim & Kjell Nguyen-van Zoen

So sorry for your loss. In my work and play with EastFork I had the pleasure of meeting Joel a few times and always enjoyed our conversations immensely. Much love to all the family and friends during this difficult time.

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Lindsey Morgan Novinger

Jeanne Marie

Molly Woon

Shared a heart

Molly Woon

While we really got to become friends through politics and Salem, I first met Joel when a friend (Erin Devaney, who knew him through the Oregon Student Association) took me to The Spaghetti Factory on Macadam and introduced me. Last year, I took my boyfriend Andy (who lives in Joel & Tricia’s basement unit) to the Spaghetti Factory for the first time and I was SO EXCITED to tell Joel about it. I also remember Joel telling me that the first thing he always ate after traveling outside the United States was Taco Bell. And I remember he kept his own personal bottle of Sriracha in the Capitol Cafe in Salem. I don’t know if it says more about me or Joel that some of my favorite memories of him are food related.

He was always such a good friend to me. We grew apart and back together over the years. I’m very grateful to have spent time with him and Tricia this last year during quarantine (since my boyfriend lives in the basement). I’m sure many of you feel like I do — this doesn’t seem real at all. Sending all my love to Tricia and Joel’s family.

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Meredith Shield

Bryan Remley

Samantha Gladu

Lindsey Morgan Novinger

Tricia Chin

2018, Lisbon, Portugal

I am completely floored by the outpouring of support and just how many lives Joel had touched. I'm so grateful for everyone's words and memories. It's been helpful for me to know how many people loved him and to cope with the deep loss that I never ever dreamed would come so soon. Here is one of my favorite photos of Joel and I, doing what we loved best, traveling and having an amazing meal with friends. Joel only ever wanted to share meals family-style for maximum potential to try every delicious thing that caught his eye.

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Valerie Yermal

Nicholina Terzieff

Meredith Shield

Molly Woon

Seth Prickett

Heidi Toth

Courtney Westling

Bryan Remley

Laura Curtis

Jessica Richen

Charles McGee

Lindsey Morgan Novinger

Olivier Cappitt

Kim & Kjell Nguyen-van Zoen

Benna Gottfried

Sophia Hitti

Ryan Deckert

Matt Albiniak

Martha Brooks

Maddie Gertenrich

Jen Bryant

Alissa Keny-Guyer

Jeanne Marie

Liwen Chang

Gina Williams

Cicely Waters

Lee Ramos

lindsay Keys

Mohamed Alyajouri

Jeremiah Wyatt

Briana Lindstrom

Comments:

Meredith Shield

Beautiful memory. We love you both so very much. Beautiful memory. We love you both so very much. Beautiful memory. We love you both so very much.

Lindsey Morgan Novinger

He did love family share so much. And then he could eat faster than everyone at the table and always got ... Read more He did love family share so much. And then he could eat faster than everyone at the table and always got the lion’s share. Love... Read more He did love family share so much. And then he could... Read more

Olivier Cappitt

Beautiful photo Tricia xxx Beautiful photo Tricia xxx Beautiful photo Tricia xxx

Jeremiah Wyatt

I'm so sorry for your loss Tricia, I can't begin to imagine what you're going through. You're definitely... Read more I'm so sorry for your loss Tricia, I can't begin to imagine what you're going through. You're definitely in my thoughts. I'm so sorry for your loss Tricia, I can't begin to... Read more