American zoologist. An icon at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo and a household name, he transformed the notion of what a zoo is during his 30-year tenure as zoo director, emphasizing the importance of education and conservation while furthering animal welfare and care. He became affectionately known as Chicago's Dr. Doolittle and Mr. Chimps. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army caring for 5,000 messenger pigeons, and was veterinarian for General George S. Patton's famous bull terrier, Willie. He was hired as Lincoln Park Zoo's first veterinarian in 1947 and later served as zoo director from 1962 until his retirement in 1992, and director emeritus until his death. As the zoo's first veterinarian, he worked alongside Marlin Perkins, cultivating both a professional relationship with Perkins as well as a friendship. When Perkins left Lincoln Park Zoo in 1962, Dr. Fisher took over as the zoo's new director. He became a Chicago household name through his many appearances on WGN. As zoo director, he transformed Lincoln Park Zoo into the state-of-the-art institution it is today—improving animal buildings and habitats and strengthening education and conservation initiatives. Species in the zoo's care flourished during his time at the zoo with expanded and modernized habitats. He had an affinity for gorillas, having spent time studying them in Africa. In 1976, Lincoln Park Zoo opened the Lester E. Fisher Great Ape House, which enabled the zoo to continue its groundbreaking work with western lowland gorillas. Lincoln Park Zoo was home to the largest gorilla population in North America through his expertise in great apes. He received the R. Marlin Perkins Award in 1996, which is the highest award given by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. In 2004, the Regenstein Center for African Apes replaced the Lester E. Fisher Great Ape House, to accommodate gorilla and chimpanzee groups and further welfare for the endangered species. Thanks to his initial efforts, Lincoln Park Zoo's great ape state-of-the-art facility remains one of the best of its kind and is known worldwide. Today, Regenstein Center for African Apes houses the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes, where it continues to further groundbreaking research with a team of scientists both at the zoo and at field sites in the Republic of Congo. He also built the first farm with domesticated animals in a zoo in the country, bringing agriculture to a large urban population. Farm-in-the-Zoo is still beloved by adult Chicagoans and youngsters alike.