Norma Fishers Legacy Supports Scholarships
Norma Jean Fisher and her husband, Lester Dean, were born in Kansas but called New Mexico home for many years. This was one reason they decided to give the bulk of their estate to New Mexico State University, reinforcing their belief in the importance of a college education.
It was Lester's military service in the 1950s that first brought them to White Sands Proving Ground (now Missile Range). Their love of camping, boating and nature in the desert Southwest, and their interest in Native American artifacts, pottery and jewelry inspired them to settle here permanently.
Dean served in the Army Reserve from 1953 to 1955, working as a painter. He received the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Norma was nominated for membership in the American Legion and received a certificate of appreciation from the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Both were members of the National Rifle Association's Legion of Honor.
The Fishers lived in the north valley of Las Cruces, where Norma enjoyed gardening. Dean worked in one of the area banks, and Norma worked for an insurance company. The couple had no children, but one of their nieces described them as "my favorite aunt and uncle" and looked forward to her visits to the family farm in Kansas.
Dean died in 2005, Norma in the summer of 2011. As per Norma's wishes, her estate will fund the Lester and Norma Jean Fisher Endowed Memorial Scholarship in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.