Herbert B. Fishman

On December 19, 2021, Herbert B. Fishman, 93, passed away after a valiant 17-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. Herb was born on July 30, 1928, in Hartford, CT. He lived in West Hartford, attended Hall High, and earned two degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and a Master Degree of Engineer of Metallurgy. Herb worked at Electric Boat in New London, CT, where he was a welding inspector on the USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine. He then joined his father, William, and brother, Morton, at Fishman & Sons of Hartford which moved to South Windsor in 1958. Herb started as an estimator and rose to manager and then president of the company. In 1979, he established HB Fishman & Co., Inc., and was well known on the East Coast as an expert in all types of roofing. He designed the architectural restoration work of many of the roofs at Yale University and installed the 47-acre roof of the former JCPenney distribution center in Manchester. Committed to his work, Herb continued running HB Fishman until Parkinson’s made it impossible for him to go to the office any longer at 89 years old. Fishman has authored several articles that have been published in construction and roofing journals. Throughout his work-life, Herb belonged to several professional organizations, including ASTM International and the National Roofing Contractors Association. In 1958, Herb met his wife of 63 years, Ruth (Tutti) Lichtenstern, on a Nantucket, MA, beach. He proposed to her while driving through Smugglers’ Notch in Stowe, VT, and within the year, they were married. Herb was a true Renaissance man: he grew legendary tomatoes; won dozens of awards for his orchids; loved swimming, sailing, waterskiing, and snow skiing; and could yodel like a Swiss goatherd. He was also a sculptor who, together with his brother Morton, built the metal Liberty Tree for the New England Pavilion at the 1964 World’s Fair. Herb Fishman designed and fabricated numerous sculptures, which grace the Emanuel, Beth El, former Tikvoh Chadoshoh, and former Teferes Israel synagogues, as well as the Renbrook School, the Gengras Center, and other public venues throughout Connecticut. Herb Fishman was also a writer of poetry, spending many hours composing witty rhymes after Parkinson’s limited his mobility. Always the engineer, Herb would modify almost anything with the hope of improving its functionality, accessibility, or taste. As a beloved father, uncle, and grandfather, Herb was generous and sensitive and full of sage advice for his family. Herb Fishman was predeceased by his parents, Rose (née Rosenthal) and William Fishman, and his four siblings: Morris Marshall, Helen, Sylvia (Wernick), and Morton. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Ruth; his sons, Peter (Lisa) and Toni (Yukiko) of Farmington; and his daughter K. Heidi (David) of Norwich, VT; as well as seven grandchildren: Garrett, Ari, Madeleine, Joshua, Glenn, Emily, and Ethan. Herb’s family would like to thank all his caregivers who over the last few years helped him with everything from personal care to poetry transcription to gardening. Most especially, we thank Deb Spearot for her dedication to tending Herb’s vast orchid collection when he was no longer able to do so himself. There will be a graveside ceremony Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 1:30 pm at the Congregation Beth Israel Cemetery Avon, 27 Jackson Street, Avon, CT. Masks required. Zoom link available for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the Parkinson’s Foundation (https://www.parkinson.org/), Congregation Beth Israel (701 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, CT 06119) or the Ruth and Herbert Fishman ’53 Scholarship at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (https://giving.rpi.edu).

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the Parkinson’s Foundation (https://www.parkinson.org/), Congregation Beth Israel (701 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, CT 06119) or the Ruth and Herbert Fishman ’53 Scholarship at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (https://giving.rpi.edu).