Friends remember Buddy Fisher as 'calm, generous, devoted'

A shred and successful businessman.

A quiet but influential philanthropist.

A husband and father who, despite the pressures from his career, was devoted to his family and his friends.

A builder and property developer who was most at ease in the outdoors, whether on the golf course or at a fishing hole.

All of those phrases describe, according to some of those who knew him best, the late Buddy Fisher, who died on Thursday, May 28, just five days before his 76th birthday.

Buddy is perhaps best known by many Burke County residents as the owner and operator for more than four decades of Triangle Contractors, Inc.

From a small beginning nearly 50 years ago, Triangle has grown to be a regional supplier of heating and air conditioning services for homes and businesses across the Catawba Valley and into the adjacent Blue Ridge Mountains.

“He was the most impressive businessman I’ve ever known,” said Buddy’s friend Mark Buff, who served a number of years as the chief financial officer for Triangle.

“He was highly intelligent,” Mark continued. “He was good natured and he was always amazingly calm and cool under pressure. He made excellent business decisions because he could always control his emotions.

“Buddy,” Mark continued, “always embodied the old John Wayne quote: ‘Talk low, talk slow, and never say too much.’”

Fisher was also well known for his ownership and development of Silver Creek Golf Club and for spearheading the restoration of Morganton’s old National Guard Armory for use by the Children’s School, now Morganton Day School.

Working with Buddy on the armory project was local developer Robert Collett.

“He was so proud of that armory,” said Robert. “Buddy simply had a passion for all things Burke County.

Like Mark, Robert also spoke of Buddy’s devotion to his family and his love for the outdoors.

“Buddy was just an absolute joy to be around,” said Robert. “And he loved his wife and family so much. Morganton has lost some incredible folks in the last couple of years, and Buddy is certainly one of them.”

Sam Avery, an independent philanthropic consultant in Morganton who worked with Buddy across nearly four decades, agrees with Robert’s assessment.

“What a great guy,” Sam said of Buddy. “Such an easy person to like and a very easy person to communicate with.”

“Buddy,” Sam said, “not only built Triangle Contractors up from a small company to a regional powerhouse, but he was also a dedicated family man and a man who deeply loved Burke County.”

Buddy was a “very generous giver” to worthy causes, Sam continued, “but he was not a pushover. He applied his good business sense when asked for support. He asked sharp questions and expected honest answers.”

In addition to his other involvements, Buddy served as a life member of the Morganton Elks Lodge. He was also a member of Silver Creek Baptist Church and the Catawba Valley Masonic Lodge 217.

A private family funeral for Buddy was held Wednesday, June 3, at Silver Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Dwayne Buchanan officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

A celebration of Buddy’s life was held Friday, June 5, at Silver Creek Golf Club.

The family has asked that memorial be made to Silver Creek Baptist Church at 4504 Silver Creek Church Road, Morganton, N.C., 28655.

Buddy’s complete obituary may be found on Page 9A.