Former Minden dentist settles in at state

Walking from his office next door to the Nevada State Museum, Michael Fischer stops to talk with the four employees who cross his path.

The newly appointed director of the Nevada Division of Cultural Affairs greets them by name and shakes their hands.

Fischer admits he loves people. In fact, he lists it as one of the reasons he is confident he can be successful at his new job.

"To do my job, you have to have management experience and a love of history and art. But most importantly, you have to love people," Fischer said. "Everyone who works in the museums and departments has a fascinating story that now I get to be a part of."

For the 58-year-old Fischer, being the director of seven museums, the Nevada State Library and Archives, the Historic Preservation Office and the Nevada Arts Council, is a dream come true.

"It's something that, as a researcher and someone who loved history, I thought it would be a cool job, but I never thought it would occur," Fischer said. "I decided to try for it, and it worked out well."

Fischer became fascinated with Nevada's history at 11 years old when he started collecting bottles with his mother in fields and open areas across Northern Nevada.

When he was in junior high school, a teacher further cemented his love of history.

"He taught it so well that you fell in love with Nevada and its history," Fischer said.

Fischer became so immersed with several prominent characters from the past, that he is able to emulate Gov. John Sparks and Minden town founder H.F. Dangberg Sr. during Chautauqua performances.

To enhance his knowledge of what it was like to be them, Fischer worked on several cattle ranches outside of Elko.

Despite his love of history, Fischer chose not to make it his profession, instead becoming a dentist in 1976.

He stopped practicing dentistry in January and sold his Gardnerville dental practice to Jim Seyfried, when he accepted his current position.

"I enjoyed being a dentist, but after 31 years you can look at new horizons. History and the arts was my avocation and dentistry was my profession. Now that has switched," Fischer said.

With the Legislature beginning shortly after he started as director, Fischer said learning the budget has been his greatest challenge.

The Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs budget is one-half of 1 percent of the state's total budget - it is contained in five, three-inch binders.

"What will make me successful at this job is a diligent work ethic and a desire to learn, along with the dedicated staff that I have," Fischer said. "My whole life, if I have decided to do something, I work hard until I accomplish it."

But Fischer said it's a labor of love, both because he enjoys history and because of what is contained in the department he now captains.

"You couldn't overemphasize the treasures we have contained in the different areas of this department. Both the physical treasures and the dedicated professionals who work for us," Fischer said.