Alvin Gale Fiscus

Dr. Alvin “Al” Fiscus, passed on Nov. 21, 2015 at the age of 85. Al was born in Newell, S.D., on July 6, 1930, to Lloyd and Persus Fiscus. He was raised and schooled in Bonesteel, S.D., where his father owned a hardware store. When he was 10 years old, Al contracted polio, which began his lifelong interest in infectious diseases. He wore braces until he was in high school. After high school, he was so determined to educate himself that he hitchhiked 210 miles to attend the first day of classes at South Dakota State University. There is where he earned his bachelor of science and his master’s degree in microbiology and biochemistry. He worked to pay for his entire education himself. He received his doctorate in microbiology and biochemistry from the University of Arizona, and did post-doctoral work at the University of Washington and Stanford Research Institute.

After the first two years of college, he was drafted at the age of 21 by the U.S. Army to serve in the Medical Corps in Tokyo during the Korean War. It was very difficult on his body while in the Army, but he was very proud to be a veteran.

Al fell so often through the years of his life from having polio, but he would get up and go again each time, being thankful that God helped him through all the times of suffering. Though post polio began in his early 20s it did not stop him from going through more years of college, to earn a doctorate in pathology as well.

While the post polio and the falls took their tolls on his well-being, he was still able to go through many years of lecturing and teaching. After earning his masters degree, Al worked at Sioux Valley Hospital, the Montana State Health Lab in Helena, and Tucson Medical Center in Arizona. From 1967 to 1989, Al was a professor of microbiology in the WAMI program at Montana State University. In 1989, Al began teaching at universities in the suburbs of Chicago. From 1991-98, he lectured for the A. Rush Corporation (ARC), established by the Rush Medical School in Chicago. This position took him to many medical schools, teaching 82-250 students at a time.

Al often said that he thoroughly enjoyed the podium “from the first to the last time I touched it”. He loved the thrill of participation from his students and seeing them grow intellectually. He retired from the ARC in 1998, and accepted a lecture circuit position at the University of Autonoma in Guadalajara, Mexico, in which he retired in March 2000. In all of his positions as a teacher and lecturer, Al wanted to be remembered as a teacher who cared about his students and encouraged them in their educational pursuits.

In addition to teaching, Al’s greatest passion and pride was landscaping. He loved working in his yard, creating park-like atmospheres for visitors. They could come and look at the many things that he had created with much enjoyment. Al also enjoyed watching Bozeman football and basketball teams play.

In 1994, Al became a member of St. James Episcopal Church of Bozeman, where he sang in the choir for many years. Al was also a life member with the Elks Club (B.P.O.E. 365), which he joined in 1976 and remained a member until his death. He was also a member of the American Legion, post no. 0014 of Bozeman, MT, for 12+ years.

Al was married to Marlene Rumohr for 25 years – a union that produced three children and an adopted Native American daughter. In 1986, he married Arlene VanZee Qualm from Platte, S.D.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marlene, brother Maynard and his twin brother Melvin, brother Geal and wife Essie, and sister Madge.

Al is survived by his loving wife Arlene Fiscus, of almost 30 years, of Bozeman, MT, two sons; Dan, Ted (Karen) Fiscus, and Ted’s two stepsons Jimmy and Justin, of Bonnie Lake, WA; daughter Amy (Chuck) Rowan, and their son Hunter, of Anchorage, AK; Juliet Fiscus of Austin, TX; granddaughter Danielle Fiscus and her two children Trent and Lilly, of AZ; One sister-in-law, Marion, of Omaha, NB; and a brother-in-law, Howard Franey if Elk Point, SD; cousin, Clayton Fiscus, of Billings, MT, and numerous nephews and nieces.

Al’s life has truly left its mark in so many ways. Through determination to overcome the pitfalls of a life with polio, he was able to become a great example for others. Not only those with polio, but people with all types of challenges in their lives, were blessed to have known Al. He was a kind, sensitive man, generous in going out of his way to help others with challenges in their lives that touched his heart. He will be greatly missed now by those he has helped, just as he was missed by his students when he went into retirement. Lest God gives us that determination and ability, we can do nothing. We must always give God the glory and thanks for all things.

A celebration of Al’s life is scheduled for February 26, 2016 at 11 AM, at the St. James Episcopal Church in Bozeman. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to St. James church or the charity of your choice in Al’s name.