Fisher, Max M., 1908-2005

Max M. Fisher Papers

aergas — Tue, 12 May 2015 13:53:40 -0400

Max M. Fisher (1908-2005) was a successful Detroit industrialist and investor, influential Republican Party fundraiser and power broker, Jewish community leader, and major philanthropist. He was "arguably the most influential and respected Jew in America" in the twentieth century. Fisher's business career began with the Aurora Gasoline Company, and included Marathon Oil and several other oil companies, as well as Manufacturer's National Bank, Comerica Inc., Michigan Bell Telephone Co., Owens-Illinois Inc., United Brands Company, Sotheby's Holdings, the Irvine Company. Fisher served as the leader of most of the major Jewish community organizations in the United States. He chaired the Board of Directors of the Jewish Agency for Israel for many years and was a prime actor in Israel's economic development. Fisher's expertise on Middle East affairs and Jewish issues made him a key advisor to the Republican Party and to Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Fisher's civic engagement with the Detroit area is legendary. Working closely with Henry Ford II and other city leaders, he was founding chair of the board of directors of Detroit Renaissance and a founding member and chair of New Detroit Inc., among other important organizations. His legacy includes the Max M. Fisher Music Center at Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall and the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University. During his lifetime, Fisher received a wide range of awards and honors from local, state, national and international organizations, particularly for his extraordinary philanthropy.
This collection consists of two Parts: Part 1 deposited in 2012, Part 2 deposited in 2021.

In Memoriam: Marjorie S. Fisher

aergas — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 11:28:58 -0400

The Reuther Library notes with sadness the death of Marjorie S. Fisher on June 12. The wife of Max M. Fisher, Marjorie Fisher was the founder with her husband of the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation. She became the Founding Chair of this family-run foundation after the death of Max Fisher in 2005. read more »

Max M. Fisher and Gerald R. Ford

Public Relations Team — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 09:55:39 -0400

Max M. Fisher, with President Gerald R. Ford, in the Oval Office, circa 1975.

(9939) Portrait, Max Fisher, Michigan, 1991

eclemens — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:25:06 -0400

Tony Spina taking Max Fisher portrait, Michigan.

(27174) Max Fisher, Jerome Cavanagh, WTVS Auction, 1971

eclemens — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 12:20:10 -0500

Jerome Cavanagh shares a laugh with with Max Fisher at the WTVS Auction.

(28451) Portraits, Max Fisher, Frank Stella, 1980

eclemens — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 12:49:26 -0400

Max Fisher and Frank Stella at the 1980 Republican National Convention. The event was held at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

(28577) New Detroit Committee, 1967

eclemens — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 11:17:08 -0400

Group portrait of the New Detroit Committee taken outside of the McGregor Memorial Conference Center, Detroit.

Photographers note: "The New Detroit Committee posed for its first official portrait at Wayne State University in a rare gathering of the city’s most influential civic leaders, Oct 11, 1967. "

Left to right: Lena Bivens, Archdiocesean Opportunity Program; Ed Carey, President Detroit Common Council; Robert Tindal, Exec Sec NAACP; Richard Huegli, Managing director, United Community Services; Emil Lockwood, State Senate Majority Leader; Jack Wood, secretary-manager, Detroit and Wayne Building Trades Council; Judge Damon Keith, chairman Michigan Civil Rights Commission; Max Fisher, United Foundation chairman; Virgil Boyd, president Chrysler Corp: John Pingel, president Ross Roy Inc; Mrs, Gerald Bright, vice-president, League of Women Voters; Norvil Harrington, Inner City civil rights worker; Ralph McElvenny, president Michigan Consolidated Gas Co.; Joseph L. Hudson, president J.L. Hudson Co (chairman); James Roche, president General Motors Corp.; William T. Gossett, president American Bar Association; Arthur Johnson, deputy superintendent, Detroit Public Schools; Walker Cisler, chairman, Detroit Edision; James B. Ogden, assistant to UAW president Walter Reuther; Allen Merrell, Ford Motor Co., vice-president; John Armstrong, president Darin & Armstrong, Inc.; Rev Malcolm Carron, president University of Detroit; Mrs. Jean Washington, 10th precinct Police Community Relations Committee; Curtis Potter, Mayor Royal Oak; William Ryan, State House minority leader; William Day, president Michigan Bell; Delos Hamlin, chairman Oakland County Board of Supervisions; Rennie Freeman, executive secretary, West Central Organization; Paul Borman, president Borman Food Stores, Inc.

(28822) Presidents, Gerald Ford, Cobo Hall, 1975

eclemens — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:04:00 -0400

President Jerry Ford at an unidentified event held at Cobo Hall. From left to right: Max Fisher, Governor Milliken, US Senator Bob Griffin and Mrs. Max Fisher.

(34381) Max and Marjorie Fisher, Palm Beach, Florida, 1982

aergas — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 11:07:44 -0400

Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher, Palm Beach, Florida.