The David A. Fidler Memorial fund was established to recognize a unique and generous individual.
“Tony,” as he was often called, was born in 1936 in the small British town of Spalding, Lincolnshire. World War II colored his early childhood with air raids, gas masks, and the destruction of his home by Nazi bombs. In Britain’s difficult post-war years, Tony attended local schools, including the selective Spalding Grammar School, which taught an academic curriculum focused on Latin, literature, and mathematics—an education that developed the intelligence, curiosity, and dexterity with language he demonstrated throughout his life. Tony also had a passion and talent for football (soccer), eventually playing in semi-professional and professional leagues with the Spalding United Football Club until injuries ended his athletic career.
From 1954 to 1956, he served in the Royal Air Force, and his squadron prepared to deploy to North Africa during the Suez crisis in 1956. President Eisenhower’s intervention ended the crisis before the deployment happened, leaving Tony with a lifelong admiration of Eisenhower for ending that “folly and nonsense.” After leaving the Royal Air Force, Tony became a salesman for Howard Rotavator, a leading British manufacturer of agricultural machinery and implements.
In December of 1958, he married Joy V. Earth. They were together for 61 years and had four children and subsequently four grandchildren.
In the early 1960s, Tony agreed to establish a distribution network for Howard Rotavator in the U.S. based in Amarillo, Texas. In his work, Tony honed the ability to switch between the Queen’s English and Texan twang, a skill that enhanced his effectiveness in the boardroom and on farms and ranches across the American southwest. Tony’s success in “the States,” and Joy’s and Tony’s sense of the opportunities that America offered their children, led to the decision to stay in the United States permanently.
Tony’s career moved the family from Amarillo to Wisconsin, and back to Amarillo, as he transitioned from Howard Rotavator to an American enterprise, Connally Implement Supply Company (CISCO). In 1976, he moved to Kansas and continued to direct CISCO’s sales efforts in the United States, helping to lead its employees through some of the most difficult times American agriculture has experienced. After his children were grown and leading their own lives, his business acumen allowed him to explore new opportunities, and he worked for companies in Washington State, Illinois, and Ohio, where he eventually retired.
While he lived for most of his adult life in America and admired much about its people and places, Tony never lost his Britishness. He steadfastly maintained his accent and a quirky sense of British humor that managed to be both clever and silly at the same time. He was a loveable character and a person of generosity and integrity.
Tony visited family in Athens over many years and lived as part of this community from 2014-2017. He enjoyed walking at The Ridges, going to the Farmer’s Market, having lunch at the Village Bakery, and driving through the county’s beautiful scenery.
He died in December 2019 after bravely battling Alzheimer’s. The fund established in his name aims to honor the kindness, joy, and laughter that he spread throughout his life.
To donate to this Fund, click the link below and select “David A. Fidler Fund” under the designation.
