Robert B. Fiske

Fiske Fellowship at University of Michigan In 2001, Fiske established the Fiske Fellowship at the University of Michigan Law School to support Michigan Law graduates pursuing careers in government service. The fellowship provides stipends and loan assistance for up to four outstanding students meeting eligibility requirements for three-year terms. Fiske believed that having government service experience early in a professional career is a fulfilling path to pursue and wanted to support Michigan Law graduates desiring that direction.

Education and honors Fiske was a president of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the Federal Bar Council. He was a recipient of the Association Medal from the New York City Bar Association.

An alumnus of the Pomfret School, he had a BA from Yale University (1952), and a JD from the University of Michigan (1955), where he was associate editor of the law review.

Personal life and death

Fiske and his wife, Janet Tinsley Fiske, were childhood sweethearts. They were married for 71 years. They had three children. His brother, John Fiske, is a mediation lawyer in Boston, and he was predeceased by another brother, McNeil Fiske, who had been an executive at First National Bank of Denver.

An avid outdoorsman, sports fan and athlete, Fiske was especially passionate about Michigan and Yale athletics, attending many games in person. He completed the New York Marathon, and participated in the Pan Mass Challenge and RAGBRAI multi-day bike across Iowa. He continued to play tennis weekly into his 94th year. Throughout his life, he enjoyed sailing, boating, fishing, hiking, cross country skiing and many other outdoor activities with his family and friends.

Fiske died from pancreatic cancer at his home in Darien, Connecticut, on December 4, 2025, at the age of 94.