Tom Fischer is a lifelong resident of Wisconsin. For the past 28yrs, he has called Pewaukee home. He graduated from Hartford Union High School in 1977. Tried college for a bit but at the time, felt it wasn’t for him. Later, he would land a job as a Production Manager for a Salad Processing Company. Around 1986, after 11 years with the Salad Processing Company, he saw himself going nowhere. He quit his job and with his wife Debby’s blessings, went back to school. In 1989, he graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Electrical Technical Communications from Milwaukee Area Technical College.
In 1988, and while attending MATC, he landed a part-time job at WTMJ TV in the Engineering Department; this eventually led to a full-time job where he remained until retirement, 35yrs later. He closed the chapter titled “Working for a Living” and starting the next one titled “Retirement”. Throughout his tenure there, he saw many advances in technology. “Back in the day”, TV was only available with an antenna. Now, you can get news and sports information sent directly to you, delivered on your smart phone or watch, or even your “Fitbit”.
About Tom Fischer
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am the oldest of four with two boys and two girls. I am married to my lovely bride of 38yrs, Debby. We have our little 9lb Chihuahua, Nikita who happens to be “litter box trained”. While the Good Lord did not bless us with children of our own, we acquired 14 nieces and nephews along the way.
Some interesting facts on my family and my bride’s family… both have 2 boys 2 girls. We both are the oldest. Both our Dads are named Jim and both of them worked in Retail. Debby was born on the exact date that my parents were married!
Q: Please tell us about your life and what you do (whether working in our community, a business owner, volunteer, etc.). How did you choose that path?
I worked numerous positions in TV. When I started, I ran a single camera for the local news. Later, as technology advanced, I was able to operate many robotic cameras from a touch screen console and joystick.
Early in my career, I would load up video cassettes for the newscasts. These cassettes were edited “clips” and played back at the appropriate time when called for. As part of my career at the station, I would check in “signals” from the remote crews in the field. This led to seeing “raw footage” as it was being sent back to the station. I happened to be working the night of the Jeffery Dahmer investigation and saw stuff one would hope to never see again.
For numerous years leading up to my retirement, I worked in what was called Master Control. This position, I affectionately called the “funnel”. The reason being, is because when a person would tune their TV to Channel 4, what they saw was running through me. I switched to the Today Show, Days of Our Lives, The Morning Blend, or the Local Newscast. I would insert and run our local commercials at the appropriate time.
When severe weather would hit, I was the one that interrupted your soap opera or sporting event so that our Meteorologist could tell you what was going on. I also interrupted your shows for National News Events as well.
In a nut shell, I checked the signals, made sure they were to the FCC’s specifications and “pushed the buttons” that allowed channel 4 to get to your home via an antenna, or streaming device.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
I enjoyed seeing the technical advances that came along the way in my 35 years in TV. When I started, news clips and programs were on 2” videotape. Now, they are recorded and played back from servers/hard drives, much like your home computer.
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
The difficult challenge was quitting work and going back to school. This meant living off just Debby’s income.
Q: What is the most rewarding part?
With days left in my TV Career, the VP & GM stopped by to say that most people talk about the details and never follow through. He went on to say that I never talked about the details but always took care of them.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
I don’t have any “advice” regarding getting into the television industry. What I want to say is that it is never too late to go back to school and get a degree. If you feel your current path is not rewarding enough, stop and change course. I did and it worked out well for me.
Tom Fischer & Our Community
Q: What is your favorite thing about our community, favorite thing to do, or something unique about our community that you love? (Feel free to share as much as you’d like!)
One of the things I like, besides the namesake “Lake” Country, are the winding, somewhat back roads that there are to explore. It is nice to drive them on a crisp, fall day, the convertible top down and the heater on full blast, looking at the fall colors.
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
Inviting, small, future driven.
For Fun
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
As a kid growing up, I bailed hay on the land that is now Erin Hills Golf Course.
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
The song “Hot Rod Lincoln” by Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen. Guess I like it because it has to do with driving, speeding, and cops. [weird, I know]
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Debby, my wife.
Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?
Beer!
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be with? Why?
John Force. At 74 years of age, he still races in the NHRA series going over 300 mph. I have enjoyed his interviews over the years and would love to experience him one-on-one.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Visit “Ski Dubai” in the United Arab Emirates which has an indoor temp of 30 to 35 degrees fahrenheit while the outside temperature can be 58 to 106 degrees fahrenheit. I especially want to see the “mechanics” of how the snow is made and how the 240 some thousand sq. ft. facility is kept so cold.
Q: What makes you the happiest?
Marriage. I am happy being married to Debby, the love of my life!
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
Stay true to yourself. Do not let others or your environment influence who YOU are. Just for the husbands out there: “Happy wife, happy life”.
