Salvor6
Silver Member
- Feb 5, 2005
- 3,758
- 2,175
- Detector(s) used
- Aquapulse, J.W. Fisher Proton 3, Pulse Star II, Detector Pro Headhunter, AK-47
- Primary Interest:
- Shipwrecks
I heard Carl Fizmer died. Anyone have any info on this>
Carl Fizmer
- Thread starter Salvor6
- Start date
- Jun 3, 2007
- 1,207
- 2,042
- Detector(s) used
- A sharp eye, an AquaPulse and a finely tuned shrimp fork.
- Primary Interest:
- Shipwrecks
Our friend Fizz's obituary. Helluva guy!
Carl Edward Fismer III, affectionately known as "Fizz", passed away on August 21, 2024, at the age of 85 in Riverview, Florida. Born in Hamilton, Ohio, on October 30, 1938, Carl led a life marked by dedication, adventure, and service, leaving an indelible mark on everyone he met.
After Carl graduated from Seven-Mile-High School, he joined the U.S. Army in 1958 and was a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne division until 1961. The military instilled in him a sense of discipline, courage and patriotism that he carried throughout his life. After his military service, he returned to Hamilton where he worked as a tool and die maker for Fisher Body, and married Donna Sue Spaulding. After Donna's untimely death, Carl moved to Sarasota, FL in 1970. Carl's career took a heroic turn when he joined the Sarasota City Fire Department in 1971, serving as a firefighter and member of the county's first EMT and first paramedic class. Carl was recognized for his bravery and commitment to public safety when he was named Firefighter of the Year in 1974.
After moving in 1980 to the Florida Keys, which he said God created to take his own vacations, Carl embarked on what would become his most thrilling career - becoming a shipwreck diver and treasure finder. His adventures took him around the world, exploring more than 100 ancient shipwrecks and recovering treasures from the sea. He worked on over 100 shipwrecks, including notable sites like the 1733 fleet off the Florida Keys, the 1715 fleet off Fort Pierce, FL, the San Josef off Panama, and the Concepcion off the Dominican Republic. One of his favorite dives was with Sir Arthur C. Clarke off Sri Lanka, India. Carl's passion for maritime history was shared through hundreds of lectures and fundraisers across the country, where he sometimes appeared as "Everyone's Favorite Pirate", captivating audiences with tales of sunken treasures.
Beyond his professional life, Carl was a supporter of the U.S. Constitution and a beloved figure in his community known for his generosity, humor, and ability to see the positive in every situation. He loved all animals: turtles, dogs, raccoons, birds, and he rescued many. He was a treasure to his friends and family, always ready with a joke or a helping hand.
Carl is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Roberta "Scooter" Benscoter Fismer; his children, Lee Alan Fismer and Diana Lynn Kuehl; grandchildren, David Jeremey Nedley, Danielle Lee Kuehl, and Jake Dowling Fismer; his sister, Pamela Corson Spaulding; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Edward Fismer II and Ruth Ann Johns Fismer Corson, and his sister Marilyn Ruth Fismer Stephenson.
Memorial Services will be held at Sun City Center Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 3rd, at 10 am, followed by burial at Sarasota National Cemetery at 2 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Michael Abt Jr. Have A Heart Foundation 1322 US One, Sebastian, FL 32958.
Carl "Fizz" Fismer lived a life full of adventure and service, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and countless stories of the sea. His spirit and tales will continue to inspire those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
************************************************************************
In honor of Captain Carl Fismer - a good man gone too soon.
In my opinion, Fizz was and always will be “The Most Interesting Man in the World”. I felt compelled to write this for Fizz. I hope the family is OK with it.
He will not be forgotten!
___________________________________________
Captain Carl Fismer, now you’ve gone and died
You fought it long and hard, you gave it your best try
But time goes quickly, too soon our heroes cross the bar
And real heroes in this modern age are more rare than a falling star
We see the famous athletes, get rich by playing a game
And actors act like someone else to get their minutes of fame
But men that go and do things, BIG things and risk their lives
And leave home and hearth and family to go to sea to search and dive
They are perhaps a little crazy, some dispute their point of view
But these men they have their passions, we must give them their due
They read and they research, they study and learn to critically think
About all the things that go into this job…everything and the kitchen sink
They learn everything about the boats, all the things that make them work
the things that make them float and sink, all the jobs they cannot shirk
They learn to drive it, they learn to dive it, they learn to run a crew
They may even learn how to cook, in case that’s needed too.
They study and learn the charts and signs, they read the histories
In actual books and maps and legajos, on yellowed paper made from trees.
And Carl and his like, of which there are sadly just a few
Raised the money and bought the gear and put together a crew
Of men like Haskins, McKee and Buddy Martin, there are many, many more
Who went to sea to see what was there, perhaps to make a score
Or maybe just to tell the story, fill in the history
Of a vessels last resting place,to solve that mystery
Fizz dove on a hundred wrecks, knew about a hundred more
And could tell the story of most all of the things found down on the seafloor
His great smile, great recall and quick wit made him ten thousand friends
But just like all things even good and great, every story has its end
Carl loved family, treasure and attention, he would tell you that
He loved animals, rum and talking, and being where he was at
He had uncountable friends around the world and just a frenemy or two
A man of strong opinions, he would share them freely with you
But Scooter was his center, her love gave Carl the chance
To dive and write and lecture and do the salvors song and dance
To share the experience and the history and sell a coin or ten
And tell the stories that he lived to tell, some recent and some ‘back when’
Carl will be missed at every Cookout, where all the treasure hunters meet
He’ll be missed by every man and woman that are still salvaging The Fleet
They’ll miss him in the Bahamas where he found a thing or two
Marc and Brad and Buddy and me, we’ll sure miss him too
But the stories and memories of Carl E. Fismer will never die
And recalling The Fizz will always bring a smile and a tear to the eye
Carl will have St Peter signed as an investor by the end of the week
And a wreck and a crew and a ship lined up, just to go take a peek
Soldier, firefighter, husband and friend
Treasure finder, author, raconteur to the end
A dreamer, a schemer (in a good way, not bad)
Grandpa and brother and a really good Dad
So to our friend Fizz, we’ll see you when this life ends
Surrounded by treasure, rum and many friends
To end this I must resort to being a tiny bit crass…
Fizz, dammit, we already miss your skinny ass…
Bill Black
9/4/2024
Carl Edward Fismer III, affectionately known as "Fizz", passed away on August 21, 2024, at the age of 85 in Riverview, Florida. Born in Hamilton, Ohio, on October 30, 1938, Carl led a life marked by dedication, adventure, and service, leaving an indelible mark on everyone he met.
After Carl graduated from Seven-Mile-High School, he joined the U.S. Army in 1958 and was a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne division until 1961. The military instilled in him a sense of discipline, courage and patriotism that he carried throughout his life. After his military service, he returned to Hamilton where he worked as a tool and die maker for Fisher Body, and married Donna Sue Spaulding. After Donna's untimely death, Carl moved to Sarasota, FL in 1970. Carl's career took a heroic turn when he joined the Sarasota City Fire Department in 1971, serving as a firefighter and member of the county's first EMT and first paramedic class. Carl was recognized for his bravery and commitment to public safety when he was named Firefighter of the Year in 1974.
After moving in 1980 to the Florida Keys, which he said God created to take his own vacations, Carl embarked on what would become his most thrilling career - becoming a shipwreck diver and treasure finder. His adventures took him around the world, exploring more than 100 ancient shipwrecks and recovering treasures from the sea. He worked on over 100 shipwrecks, including notable sites like the 1733 fleet off the Florida Keys, the 1715 fleet off Fort Pierce, FL, the San Josef off Panama, and the Concepcion off the Dominican Republic. One of his favorite dives was with Sir Arthur C. Clarke off Sri Lanka, India. Carl's passion for maritime history was shared through hundreds of lectures and fundraisers across the country, where he sometimes appeared as "Everyone's Favorite Pirate", captivating audiences with tales of sunken treasures.
Beyond his professional life, Carl was a supporter of the U.S. Constitution and a beloved figure in his community known for his generosity, humor, and ability to see the positive in every situation. He loved all animals: turtles, dogs, raccoons, birds, and he rescued many. He was a treasure to his friends and family, always ready with a joke or a helping hand.
Carl is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Roberta "Scooter" Benscoter Fismer; his children, Lee Alan Fismer and Diana Lynn Kuehl; grandchildren, David Jeremey Nedley, Danielle Lee Kuehl, and Jake Dowling Fismer; his sister, Pamela Corson Spaulding; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Edward Fismer II and Ruth Ann Johns Fismer Corson, and his sister Marilyn Ruth Fismer Stephenson.
Memorial Services will be held at Sun City Center Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 3rd, at 10 am, followed by burial at Sarasota National Cemetery at 2 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Michael Abt Jr. Have A Heart Foundation 1322 US One, Sebastian, FL 32958.
Carl "Fizz" Fismer lived a life full of adventure and service, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and countless stories of the sea. His spirit and tales will continue to inspire those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
************************************************************************
In honor of Captain Carl Fismer - a good man gone too soon.
In my opinion, Fizz was and always will be “The Most Interesting Man in the World”. I felt compelled to write this for Fizz. I hope the family is OK with it.
___________________________________________
Captain Carl Fismer, now you’ve gone and died
You fought it long and hard, you gave it your best try
But time goes quickly, too soon our heroes cross the bar
And real heroes in this modern age are more rare than a falling star
We see the famous athletes, get rich by playing a game
And actors act like someone else to get their minutes of fame
But men that go and do things, BIG things and risk their lives
And leave home and hearth and family to go to sea to search and dive
They are perhaps a little crazy, some dispute their point of view
But these men they have their passions, we must give them their due
They read and they research, they study and learn to critically think
About all the things that go into this job…everything and the kitchen sink
They learn everything about the boats, all the things that make them work
the things that make them float and sink, all the jobs they cannot shirk
They learn to drive it, they learn to dive it, they learn to run a crew
They may even learn how to cook, in case that’s needed too.
They study and learn the charts and signs, they read the histories
In actual books and maps and legajos, on yellowed paper made from trees.
And Carl and his like, of which there are sadly just a few
Raised the money and bought the gear and put together a crew
Of men like Haskins, McKee and Buddy Martin, there are many, many more
Who went to sea to see what was there, perhaps to make a score
Or maybe just to tell the story, fill in the history
Of a vessels last resting place,to solve that mystery
Fizz dove on a hundred wrecks, knew about a hundred more
And could tell the story of most all of the things found down on the seafloor
His great smile, great recall and quick wit made him ten thousand friends
But just like all things even good and great, every story has its end
Carl loved family, treasure and attention, he would tell you that
He loved animals, rum and talking, and being where he was at
He had uncountable friends around the world and just a frenemy or two
A man of strong opinions, he would share them freely with you
But Scooter was his center, her love gave Carl the chance
To dive and write and lecture and do the salvors song and dance
To share the experience and the history and sell a coin or ten
And tell the stories that he lived to tell, some recent and some ‘back when’
Carl will be missed at every Cookout, where all the treasure hunters meet
He’ll be missed by every man and woman that are still salvaging The Fleet
They’ll miss him in the Bahamas where he found a thing or two
Marc and Brad and Buddy and me, we’ll sure miss him too
But the stories and memories of Carl E. Fismer will never die
And recalling The Fizz will always bring a smile and a tear to the eye
Carl will have St Peter signed as an investor by the end of the week
And a wreck and a crew and a ship lined up, just to go take a peek
Soldier, firefighter, husband and friend
Treasure finder, author, raconteur to the end
A dreamer, a schemer (in a good way, not bad)
Grandpa and brother and a really good Dad
So to our friend Fizz, we’ll see you when this life ends
Surrounded by treasure, rum and many friends
To end this I must resort to being a tiny bit crass…
Fizz, dammit, we already miss your skinny ass…
Bill Black
9/4/2024
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