More than one hundred people gathered at Sacramento State?s Alumni Center Saturday afternoon to celebrate the life of a well-known professor who passed away last semester. Family and friends, including many former students, attended Saturday?s memorial service in honor of Chemistry Professor Richard Fish.

The memorial celebration started off with Fish?s widow, Madeleine Fish, saying a few words about her husband. She told the crowd that today?s service is more of a joyous remembrance of Fish.

“He was a very kind, generation, and gentle man,” said Fish.

President Donald Gerth also attended the memorial service and gave a brief speech about his fellow colleague. “Dick was a great inspiration to many students and students loved him for it”, said Gerth. Gerth went on to mention how Fish was a strong believer in his students and how much he loved the chemistry department.

The service continued with former students expressing their thoughts and memories of Fish.

Frank Lee, who was one of Fish?s earlier students, talked about how much Fish changed his life. Lee, who came to America in 1971, graduated Sac State in 1974, with much guidance from Fish.

“Dick really changed my life, because when I started on this campus, I had no confidence on what I was doing, but Dick always gave me encouragement and pushed me forward,” said Lee. “He gave me confidence”.

Mekayla Griggs, graduate of the class of 1992, attended the memorial service in honor of her late professor. “He was definitely pro-student and believed a lot in helping minority students,” said Griggs. “He was always encouraging and supportive.”

Fish came to Sac State in 1964 and has then left many wonderful memories. He is known for giving unconditional support and encouragement to all of his students that have crossed his path. Sac State will never forget the great things that Professor Fish did for this campus during his time here. “It is best to describe him as one of the builders of this University,” said Gerth.