Max Fisher
Max M. Fisher | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | March 3, 2005 (aged 96) Franklin, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, philanthropist |
| Known for | Founder of Aurora Gasoline; major Republican fundraiser; Jewish community leader |
Max Martin Fisher (July 15, 1908 – March 3, 2005) was an American entrepreneur and philanthropist, recognized as the founder of Aurora Gasoline, the company behind Speedway gas stations. Following the sale of Aurora, he assumed leadership roles at United Brands and other enterprises, channeling significant investments into expansive real estate developments.
As a leading Republican fundraiser, Fisher provided counsel on Middle Eastern and Jewish matters to every U.S. administration from President Dwight D. Eisenhower through George W. Bush. His lifetime commitment encompassed philanthropic leadership, civic engagement, and business ventures in Detroit, alongside support for Jewish and Israeli initiatives across the United States.
Life and career
Born in Pittsburgh to Jewish immigrants from Russia, Fisher was raised in Salem, Ohio, where his father operated a clothing business. He earned a degree in business administration from Ohio State University in 1930, having attended on a football scholarship.
Starting his career as a salesman for his father’s Keystone Oil Refining Company in Detroit in 1930, Fisher founded Aurora Gasoline two years later. He grew Aurora into one of the Midwest’s most extensive gas station networks before selling it to Marathon Petroleum in 1959 for $40 million. After stepping down from management in 1963, he joined the boards of Comerica Bank, Sotheby’s, and United Brands.
Fisher reinvested his fortune into significant real estate projects. Notably, in 1977 he partnered with A. Alfred Taubman and Henry Ford II to purchase the 73,000-acre Irvine Ranch near Los Angeles for $337 million; this property was sold approximately six years later for about $1 billion.
Over many years, Fisher advised U.S. presidents and Israeli prime ministers on critical issues such as the Six-Day War and assistance to Ethiopian Jews. He played a role in revitalizing U.S.-Israel relations during the Ford administration and was present for the Camp David Accords under President Jimmy Carter.
Between the 1960s and 1980s, Fisher emerged as a prominent Republican fundraiser and served as a delegate at national conventions in 1964, 1968, and 1976, underscoring his considerable political stature within the party.
Jewish organizations
Fisher was deeply involved in supporting Jewish causes worldwide and held leadership positions within several major Jewish organizations. He was national chairman of the United Jewish Appeal (UJA) from 1965 to 1967; president of the Council of Jewish Federations between 1969 and 1972; chairman of the United Israel Appeal, Inc. (UIA) from 1968 to 1971; and president of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit from 1959 through 1964. Additionally, he served as Honorary Chairman for United Jewish Communities (UJC), the Council of Jewish Federations, and the American Jewish Committee.
He also acted as founding chairman of the board of governors for UJC’s international affiliate, the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), while maintaining active involvement with the American Jewish Committee, B’nai B’rith International, and Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society.
Detroit
In Detroit, Fisher contributed to the establishment of the $60 million Max M. Fisher Music Center, which houses the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and includes The Max—a public high school dedicated to performing arts.
Ohio State University
Fisher contributed nearly $20 million to Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business, facilitating the establishment of a new six-building business complex that opened in 1998. Later, in 2005, he committed an extra $5 million to enhance the college's MBA offerings.
Personal life and family
Fisher was married twice during his lifetime. His first marriage, in 1934, was to Sylvia Krell, who passed away in 1952; together they had one daughter, Jane Fisher Sherman, who served as chair of UIA and co-chaired the Jewish Agency for Israel Committee on Israel.
In 1953, Fisher married Marjorie Faith Switow. The couple had two daughters: Julie Fisher Cummings and Marjorie Fisher Aronow. Additionally, he adopted Marjorie’s two children from a previous marriage: Mary Fisher, known for her activism in AIDS awareness, and Philip William Fisher, founder of the charity Mission Throttle.
Fisher's family included 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He also supported the education of his nephew Stephen M. Ross, who acknowledged Fisher as a significant mentor and source of inspiration.
Max Fisher passed away on March 3, 2005, at his residence in Franklin, Michigan. He was laid to rest at Clover Hill Park Cemetery located in Birmingham, Michigan.
Wealth
By 2004, Max Fisher’s estimated net worth was $775 million, earning him the distinction of being the oldest individual on the Forbes 400 list at age 96.
Legacy
The contributions and influence of Fisher’s life have been captured through various articles, television documentaries, and the authorized biography Quiet Diplomat authored by Peter Golden.
Historical documents
The Walter P. Reuther Library in Detroit houses Max Fisher’s archival collection. These documents provide insight into his multifaceted career as an industrialist, investor, Republican fundraiser, Jewish community leader, and philanthropist. The archive contains letters, speeches, interviews, photographs, and biographical records.
B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO) Involvement
In 2006, the Max Fisher AZA chapter of BBYO was founded in Michigan and received formal recognition from the Fisher Foundation. Despite its recent inception, this chapter has distinguished itself both regionally and internationally by producing several Michigan Region presidents as well as an International President. The chapter is celebrated for its leadership development initiatives, sportsmanship accolades, and honors such as the Henry Monsky award recognizing exceptional chapters. Members actively engage in BBYO conventions and global summer leadership programs. Additionally, Fisher AZA created a Platform Database that hosts hundreds of candidacies for BBYO offices worldwide, fostering greater transparency and member involvement.
Telegraph Road
On November 30, 2005, President George W. Bush signed into law the 2006 appropriations bill which included a designation naming a segment of Telegraph Road (U.S. Route 24) between Interstate 96 and Interstate 75 as the "Max M. Fisher Memorial Highway." This highway dedication ceremony took place officially in May 2008.
External links
- Forbes 400 Membership in 2004
- Max M. Fisher Papers at the Walter P. Reuther Library