Mr.
Barry Sayers Fichter, 68, of 331 Cross Creek Drive, passed away on Saturday,
Aug. 8, 2009, after a long battle with dementia. He was born in Patterson, N.J., and raised in Clifton, N.J. He was the son of the late George August Fichter and Catherine Ullmann Fichter. Barry graduated from Newark College of Engineering (now NJ Institute of Technology) in 1962 and received a full fellowship for his master's degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Barry completed his master's degree in one year. His career started with Bendix in Southfield, Mich., but by 1967 he changed to American Standard in New Jersey and then Kentucky. After 12 years with American Standard, he made a major career change and joined Kenner Toys. A few of the many toys his department designed were the first Star Wars Toys, Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, etc. In 1985 he moved with his family to Hong Kong and worked with Vendor Operations for Kenner. In 1990 he was asked to start an office in Hong Kong for Fisher Price and then be the general manager. Mattel later bought Fisher Price; Barry started and office for them in Thailand and later became vice president of Mattel Orient Design and Development in China and Hong Kong. He retired to Moss Lake, Cleveland County in August 2000. Barry has been an avid model railroader and trains enthusiast his entire life. Even with his illness he was able to build a running layout in his basement. He was a member of the Clinchfield Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and the Cherryville Model Railroad Club. Every vacation always included a trip to the local train station.
Barry attended the Shelby Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Covenant Sunday school class. He was a loving husband of 46 years, father and Opa.
He is survived by his wife, Robin Gay Extrom Fichter; daughter, Julia Ann Fichter Persing and husband, David, of Shelby, Susan Jay Fichter of Hickory and Nancy Jean Fichter Ashford and husband, Robert, of Cherryville; and his loving grandchildren, Treven, Barry, Camille and Kyle Persing and Hans Ashford.
Memorial Service: Wednesday, Aug. 12, 1 p.m., Shelby Presbyterian Church
Visitation: The family will receive friends after the service, in the fellowship hall of the church.
Officiated by: Dr. Luke Harkey and Rev. Allen Huff
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, Life Enrichment Center, 103 T.R. Harris Drive, Shelby, NC 28150; or Memory Care, 100 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville, NC 28803