The David A. Fidler Memorial Fund

Shayne Lopez • August 1, 2021

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.

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Pull up a Chair: June Newsletter

By Emily Prince • June 9, 2026
Stronger Together

Leadership Athens County Celebrates 20 Years of Community Leadership and Connection

By Dani Esperanza • May 26, 2026
On Thursday, May 21, community members gathered at the Athens Armory to celebrate the graduates of the 2026 Leadership Athens County Flagship and Youth cohorts, honor 20 years of Leadership Athens County, and officially launch the Leadership Athens County Alumni Association. Hosted by the Athens County Foundation, the evening reflected the program’s long-standing commitment to cultivating local leadership rooted in connection, collaboration, and service. Over the past two decades, Leadership Athens County has brought together emerging and established leaders from across the region to deepen their understanding of Athens County, strengthen relationships, and develop the skills needed to create meaningful community impact. In her opening remarks, Athens County Foundation Executive Director Kerry Pigman reflected on the program’s origins and enduring purpose. “Leadership Athens County exists because people chose to invest in each other and in this community,” Pigman shared. “Tonight may represent the end of your program, but it is also an invitation. An invitation to stay engaged.” Throughout the evening, speakers returned to a common theme: leadership in Athens County is built through relationships, trust, and a shared commitment to community. Communications and Engagement Manager Emily Prince, a member of the very first Leadership Athens County cohort in 2006, reflected on how the program shaped her own leadership journey and deepened her sense of belonging in Athens County. “Leadership Athens County helped me to find the opportunities I needed to be who I want to be,” Prince said. “I want to be a person who forges a path, clears the rocks, and levels the roots. I want the next generation’s road to be smoother than mine so that they can run farther.” Graduates from both the adult and youth cohorts shared personal introductions of one another throughout the ceremony, highlighting the relationships, growth, and mutual support developed over the year. Their reflections emphasized the diversity of leadership styles and experiences represented across Athens County, from educators, nonprofit professionals, artists, healthcare workers, and advocates to students already stepping into leadership roles within their schools and communities. Leadership Athens County facilitator Dani Esperanza reminded attendees that the program is grounded in an asset-based approach to leadership. “The leaders we need are already here,” Esperanza said during the commencement ceremony. “We don’t need a ‘hero’ leader who will save the day and come up with all the solutions. We need to identify our individual and collective strengths, harness them to make change, and support one another throughout the process.” The event also marked the official launch of the Leadership Athens County Alumni Association, an initiative designed to strengthen connections among the program’s more than 400 alums and create opportunities for continued collaboration, mentorship, service, and learning. Speaking during closing remarks, Leadership Athens County alumna Mallory Swaim reflected on the importance of sustaining those connections long after graduation. “The greatest strength of Athens County has never been a building, an institution, or a single organization,” Swaim said. “It has always been the people. The people are willing to invest in one another. The people willing to stay engaged.” The evening also included fundraising efforts to support the Leadership Athens County Fund, which is helping to seed an endowment dedicated to supporting Leadership Athens County Youth in perpetuity and to ensuring that future young leaders can participate fully regardless of financial barriers. As the evening concluded, graduates, alums, families, and community partners celebrated not only the accomplishments of the 2026 cohorts but also the growing network of leaders who continue to shape the future of Athens County together. Nomination forms are open for both the Flagship and Youth Programs:

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