Editor's note: The Fisher family has announced plans for an outdoor memorial event to be held on Saturday, April 24, beginning at noon at Shelter #2 of Blacksburg Municipal Park, 920 Turner Street NE, in Blacksburg. Those wishing to attend in person are encouraged to sign up beforehand.

Broderick (Brody) Keenan Fisher passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 25, 2021, at age 21. He was a senior at Virginia Tech and planned to graduate in May 2021 with a degree in aerospace engineering.

Brody was born on Dec. 30, 1999, and from the moment he came into this world, he was a sweet, generous, and fun-loving boy. He was the third child of six born to Matt and Erin (Maurer) Fisher. From a young age, his brilliant mind was a wonder to behold. Reading chapter books by age 3 and soaking in knowledge like a sponge, Brody’s talents in engineering and science quickly took root. He was fascinated with pyramids, chemistry experiments, and space, but most of all airplanes and aerodynamics. He also loved animals and volunteered at the Prince William County Animal Shelter from 2015-2016. His intelligence, matched by his gregarious personality and empathy for others, only grew bigger as he got older.

After homeschooling and graduating high school in 2017, he began attending Virginia Tech as an engineering major. For the first time, he finally had an academically challenging curriculum and thoroughly enjoyed college life. He made many good friends and realized his life-long dream of having his own room when he moved into an apartment with several of them. Brody took advantage of travel opportunities through Virginia Tech’s study abroad programs in China and Germany as well as family trips to Cuba, Mexico, and Europe.

After graduating this May, Brody planned to start an accelerated master’s program in aerospace engineering at Virginia Tech in the fall, where he was a finalist for a teaching assistant position. He was invited to a second internship at General Electric during the summer of 2021.

Brody loved making people laugh and he leapt at any opportunity to go out of his way and make others smile. He always enjoyed a good stunt, a clever pun, and bringing laughter into every situation. His light-hearted humor could relieve tension in any situation, and his hidden talent at karaoke was quite legendary among his friends and colleagues.

Most importantly, Brody was an irreplaceable part of his large family. He was the sweet brother who would do anything for his younger sisters and joined his older brother and sister on one backpacking trip, where he quickly decided he preferred indoor activities. He made the best mac and cheese, and he would happily make it upon request any time, day or night. He was the grandson who visited his grandparents regularly, helped with projects, and talked for hours. And he was the most loving, affectionate son any parent could ask for. Our hearts are profoundly broken at this loss. His wit, sarcasm, and position as the regular family game night winner will be terribly missed.

Brody is survived by his parents, Matthew Fisher and Erin (Maurer) Fisher, both of Manassas, Virginia; his sister Brenna Fisher and brother Dennis Fisher, both of Laramie, Wyoming; and sisters Mallory, Grace, and Olivia, also of Manassas. He leaves behind his maternal grandparents, James and Janet Maurer of Chicago, Illinois; and his paternal grandparents, Dennis and Mary Fisher of Lewes, Delaware. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates that donations be made to Prince William Animal Advocates, an organization that provides medical care and support to shelter animals.

– Submitted by the family of Broderick Keenan Fisher

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