"Dear Fischback family: It was a privilege to get to know John and be able to assist with his cares. I learned much from his strength and endurance inspite of his pain and struggle. I pray you have peace in knowing you are an amazing family and provided the best in family love and support. I\'m grateful for the gospel and know you will see him again and he will be well and whole. May the Lord bless you till that day arrives. Sincerely Thelma Roley ...Symbii Hospice. "
In loving memory of
John Edward Fischback
September 13, 1933 - April 13, 2022
John Edward Fischback passed away on April 13, 2022, in Preston, Idaho at the age of 88. John was born on September 13, 1933, as John Edward Irwin in Spofford, Texas to George Hawks Irwin and Ethel Mary Everett. When John was three years old his mother was remarried to Michael Fischbach, who adopted John at the age of three. John grew up living on Army bases in Fort Clark, Texas, and Fort Riley, Kansas, and at the age of 10 John and the family moved to Tustin, Ca, where he lived until he joined the United States, Air Force, with his Father's written consent, at the age 17.
When John was 18 he served in Korea during the Korean war for one year where he was a P51 Mustang aircraft mechanic. John served in the United States Air Force as a Prop and Jet aircraft mechanic and a special weapons expert for 21 years. John was stationed at several Airforce bases located at George Air Force Base, Victorville, CA; Luke Air Force Base, Phoenix, Arizona; Buckley Air Force Base, Denver, Colorado; Elsworth, Air Force Base, Rapid City South Dakota; Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany; and March Air Force Base, Riverside, CA. John retired from the Air Force after serving for 21 years.
When John was 20 he met the love of his life, Anita Chesley, at a weekly town dance in Anaheim, California. After a short whirlwind romance, John and Anita were married on January 9, 1953, in Las Vegas, Nevada. John and Anita were married for over 69 years up until John's passing. In 1960 John was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. While serving overseas in Europe, John and Anita and their children were all sealed together for time and all eternity in the Temple in Bern, Switzerland.
After John retired from the Air Force in 1971, he went to work for the FAA in Alaska as an Airway Transportation Systems Specialist while living in Talkeetna, AK, McGrath, AK, Delta Junction, AK, and then finally settling down with Anita and their children in Anchorage, AK in 1977 where John retired at the age of 55 in 1989 after serving with the FAA for 17 years. After John's FAA retirement John and Anita flipped several houses for several years in Anchorage. John and Anita eventually became "Snowbirds" by splitting their time during the year while living in Anchorage, AK, and Tucson, Arizona.
John is survived by his wife, Anita, and his 6 children; Michael "Mick" (Laurel) Fischback, Kip (Nancy) Fischback, Bonnie Wright, John (Liz) Fischback, Thomas (Susan) Fischback, Samuel Fischback, and his 28 grandchildren, and 40 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at the Utah Veterans Cemetery, with military rites. Please share a favorite memory or offer condolences to the family by leaving a tribute on this page.