Obituary of David Martin Fister

David Martin Fister, 83, was called home by Jesus on May 21, 2023. He was born in Minneapolis, MN on July 3, 1939, to Edwin Fister and Helen Cook Fister. He joined an older sister, Grace Goodwater and an older brother, Edward Fister, both of whom predeceased him. He was also predeceased by both parents. He grew up in Spring Lake Park, MN until he and his parents moved to Northern California in 1956, when Dave was 17. He graduated from Armijo High School in Fairfield, CA in 1957. He was a welder at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, in Vallejo, CA. Following that, he went on to Sacramento State University, majoring in Psychology, graduating with a BA degree. He was hired by Roseville Police Department and worked there until he was hired by the California Highway Patrol, which had always been his dream job. His job satisfaction came from saving lives and helping people. He retired from the California Highway Patrol in 1990, after which he began a second career, substitute teaching. During his last year of college, he met the love of his life, Joan Connick. They were married on September 4th , 1965, in Vallejo, CA. They had their first daughter, Joanne, in 1967 and their second daughter, Janet in 1971. His wife Joan and his girls were the lights of his life. They spent 37 years of their marriage working with couples in troubled marriages through Retrouvaille. He considered one of his greatest accomplishments was helping couples learn how to have a happy marriage and to avoid divorce. He figured that he and Joanie worked with over 2,000 couples. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joan, his daughters Janet Waterdown and Joanne Fister, his grandchildren, Jake and Abbey Waterdown as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. A rosary will be held at St. Pius X Catholic church on Tuesday, June 6th at 10:30 am, with a mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 am. His internment will follow immediately at the St. Pius Columbarium.