Fischer retires after 45 years plumbing

By Nancy Spencer, The Delphos Herald
Published:  Monday, May 4, 2009 (10 months, 2 weeks ago)
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Jim Fischer, center, longtime owner of Fischer Plumbing and Heating, retired from the business Friday. He turns the business over to new owner Jason Buettner, left. Fischer and his wife, Jane, right, will take it one day at a time, according to Fischer.DELPHOS — Plumbing and Heating is all Jim Fischer has known.
On Friday, the co-owner of Fischer Plumbing and Heating on State Street put down his pipe wrench and retired from a business that encompassed his life for the last 45 years.
Fischer’s father, Leo Fischer, went into partnership with Ed Holderly in 1957 when he bought out Carl Maas’ interest in the business.
When Jim Fischer graduated from high school in 1962, he headed off to St. Joe College in Rensselaer, Ind. After a year, he took his place beside his father in what would become his life’s work.
“This is all I’ve ever done,” Fischer said Friday. “It’s in my blood.”
Fischer’s father became sole owner and in the mid-1980s, his four boys: Jim, Chuck, Roger and Ed; took over. In 2003, Jim and Ed became partners.
Now the business is in the hands of Jason Buettner, who officially took over on March 20 as sole owner.
Fischer said he has no definite plans for the future but will work part-time as needed.
“I’ll take it one day at a time and see what happens. The wife and I have always talked about a cruise but it won’t be to Mexico,” he said with a small smile. “I won’t go far. I was born and raised in Delphos and I’ll die and be buried here.”
As for his wife, Jane, she may have a few plans for her newly-retired husband.
“I have the ‘honey-do’ list ready,” she said.

1 Reader Response to “Fischer retires after 45 years plumbing”

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  1. #1 — Added 10 months, 2 weeks ago

    Jim:

    Congratulations on your retirement. You have had a wonderful career and deserve to enjoy your retirement.

    You and your family have always taken care of mine and I thank you for all you have done for us over the years.

    Enjoy and have fun.

    Dave

    Posted on May 4, 2009 at 5:53 am by Dave Stallkamp