Bev Fisher
Inset, and Far Right with Brothers (L-R): Warren and Rupert
With The Fisher Bros. Circle F Ranch Wagon
March 3, 1940 – June 11, 2023
The World Professional Chuckwagon Association has been saddened by former chuckwagon competitor Bev Fisher who passed on following a brief illness on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at the age of 83.
A second generation chuckwagon competitor, Bev grew up watching his father Albert drive chuckwagons throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Bev got his start in the chuckwagon business in the late 1950’s as an outrider along with his brothers for their father Albert, and soon after his brother Rupert Fisher began driving. Bev, along with brothers Rupert and Warren, put together their own chuckwagon outfit under the canvas of Fisher Bros – Duck Lake, Saskatchewan with brother Rupert driving and Bev and Warren acting as outriders.
Chuckwagon racing was a family affair for the Fishers, and Bev and his brothers all competed at the Calgary Stampede for the first time in 1961. In their first year at the Rangeland Derby, the Fisher Bros. Outfit tied with Tom Dorchester for sixth place in the Calgary Stampede Consolation races. Over the next 10 years the Fisher Bros. Outfit continued a successful run throughout the professional chuckwagon ciircuit.
Bev continued to compete on the chuckwagon circuits throughout Western Canada, primarily as an outrider but he did drive occasionally at some smaller shows in Saskatchewan. During his time as a competitor he won numerous outriding awards with his most prominent wins coming at the Northwest Round-Up in Swan River, Manitoba in 1957 outriding for his father Albert, and he twice won the Saskatchewan Chuckwagon Championship at the Meadow Lake Stampede in 1963 with the Fisher Bros. Outfit, and again in 1967.
1971 would be the last year the Fisher family would have a canvas at the Calgary Stampede under their own name when the Albert Fisher – Duck Lake, Saskatchewan Outfit competed with Hally Walgenbach as the driver. And it was here at the 1971 Calgary Stampede where Bev made his final ride behind his father Albert’s chuckwagon. Even when his competitive career was over, Bev continued to cheer on his brother Rupert who continued to drive chuckwagons into the mid 1980’s, and Bev continued to be a lifelong fan of the sport right up until his passing as the new generation of drivers came to prominence.
Bev is survived by his children: Jodie (Jeff) Bailey of Sunnyside, WA, Kelly (Jill) Fisher of Spruce Grove, AB, Jacqui (Troy) Rider of Lacombe, AB and Kori (Rodney) Fraser of Stettler, AB; grandchildren: Traci (Miles) Ashton, Tate Bailey, Kyle (Tiffany) Fisher, Kennidy (Luca) Barbieri, Beaudon (Kate) Rider, Jackson (Morgan) Rider, Dayton Rider, Bryce Fisher, Kelsey (Steven) Nelson, Hailey (Lucas) Fisher; great grandchildren: Zayden Fisher, Rylee Nelson and Emmett Ashton; brothers and sisters: Fern (Howard) Dugan, Lloyd (Heather) Fisher, Florence Collin, Richard (Sharon) Fisher and Gary (Lorna) Fisher; sisters-in-law: Cathy Fisher, Emilie Fisher and Karen Fisher; as well as numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and many dear friends.
Bev is predeceased by parents Odile and Albert Fisher; brothers: Rupert Fisher, Warren Fisher and Wesley Fisher and sister Vivian Kerr.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 1:00 P.M at the Christ-King Catholic Church, 4916-54 Street, Stettler, Alberta. Memorial Donations may be made to Canadian Cancer Society or to the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Bev will be missed by all in the WPCA, chuckwagon fans everywhere, and we extend our sincere condolences to the Fisher family.
Billy Melville
