Earleen Fisher, a distinguished editor and reporter who dedicated over five decades to The Associated Press, has passed away at the age of 78. Fisher, who interviewed notable figures including Yasser Arafat and the Dalai Lama, died peacefully on Wednesday morning at The Maples at Waterford Crossing nursing home in Goshen, Indiana, due to complications arising from Parkinson's disease, according to her cousin, Phil Dowty.
Fisher's career at the AP began after she graduated from Indiana University, where she started reporting for her hometown newspaper as early as high school. She was hired by the AP as a part-time newswoman and quickly moved up the ranks, transferring to New York headquarters where she worked as a supervisor on U.S. news reports.
Her experience spanned multiple regions, including significant roles as bureau chief for the Middle East, India, Cyprus, and Egypt. During her tenure, she covered tense conflicts and was at the forefront of AP's response during significant historical events, such as the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and the signing of Egypt's peace treaty with Israel.
A longtime colleague, Robert Reid, who worked closely with Fisher, expressed admiration for her leadership qualities, stating, “Earleen was a fantastic editor. She was firm, and she wouldn’t pull any punches, but she was willing to sit down with people and go over their material and show how it should be done.”
Fisher was known not only for her editorial prowess but also for her progressive approach within the traditional framework of AP’s ethos. She was dedicated to maintaining accuracy and speed, especially during times of global chaos, and displayed exceptional skill when engaging with both reporters and clients alike. Edith M. Lederer, the AP's longtime chief U.N. correspondent, fondly remembered Fisher, noting, “Earleen Fisher was not only a beautiful writer and talented editor but as the first — or one of the first — women to head a major AP international bureau, she was also very successful at selling AP’s news, photo and video services to newspapers and television stations across the Middle East.”
Fisher's return to Baghdad shortly after the United States invaded Iraq exemplified her commitment to AP’s mission and her adeptness at fostering local partnerships, as she engaged with customers at local newspapers to improve coverage and collaboration.
Throughout her career, Fisher displayed versatile reporting skills, exemplified by her statements reflecting on the Dalai Lama, whom she described, stating he “combines the piety of a simple priest with the pragmatism of a politician.” This balance highlights her ability to understand complex subjects deeply.
After retiring from the AP in 2004, Fisher sought to impart her knowledge by teaching journalism at the American University in Cairo and contributing to media development projects across the Middle East and North Africa. She returned to her home state of Indiana before her health declined significantly due to Parkinson’s, which she battled for several years.
Paul Haven, the AP’s vice president for global news gathering, reflected on Fisher's lasting impact on the organization, stating, “Earleen left a huge and positive mark on all the reporters and editors she worked with. Her clearheaded coverage of the Middle East, in particularly, helped AP stand out there for many years.”
Recognized for her contributions to journalism, Fisher was inducted posthumously to the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame, celebrating her extraordinary impact on the field and the lives of those she mentored. Funeral services for Earleen Fisher are scheduled for Sunday afternoon at Mishler Funeral Home, with burial to follow.