Ralph Talcott Fisher (1877–1948): Business Leader & Oakland Port Commissioner

Ralph T. Fisher and Grave Marker

Plot 11

Ralph Talcott Fisher was born in Oakland, California, in 1877, the son of Galen Merriam Fisher. A lifelong resident of the city, Fisher devoted much of his professional life to civic engagement, regional planning, and economic development in the Bay Area.

He graduated from the University of California in 1899 and went on to hold executive positions with the Oakland Chamber of Commerce, including secretary and executive vice president. Through this work, he was involved in urban and economic planning initiatives, promoting infrastructure development and regional cooperation among East Bay communities.

1937 Oakland Port Commission and Staff (L-R) Eugene Roland, Ralph Fisher, Arthur Abel, James McElroy, Merkell Baer, George Pardee and Frank Colbourn

From 1928 to 1939, Fisher served on the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners. His tenure coincided with an important period of modernization and expansion at the Port of Oakland. During these years, the port undertook improvements in cargo handling infrastructure, deepened harbor channels, and expanded terminal facilities to accommodate growing maritime trade. The port also played a greater role in Pacific commerce, responding to shifts in shipping and trade patterns between California and Asia. Fisher’s involvement contributed to the long-term planning and institutional growth of the port, which was positioning itself as a competitive regional hub during a period of national economic uncertainty and recovery.

Fisher’s broader public service included work during World War I with the U.S. Shipping Board and the Emergency Fleet Corporation. In the postwar years, he served on the California State Reconstruction Commission, helping to shape policies for the state’s economic transition after the war.

Fisher Family Plot 

He was active in civic organizations such as the Oakland Forum, the Berkeley Club, the Commonwealth Club of California, and the American Planning and Civic Association. Fisher frequently contributed articles and lectures on urban planning, transportation, and intergovernmental coordination. His writings addressed topics such as harbor policy, regional governance, and city planning strategies.

In 1915, Fisher married Margaret Merriam of Newburyport, Massachusetts. They had one son, Ralph Talcott Fisher Jr., who became a historian and university professor.

Ralph Talcott Fisher died in Oakland in 1948 at the age of 70, following a brief illness