
Former Supt. R. B. Fisher Wrote “Dear Old Pampa High School”
For seventy years Pampa High School students have been singing the school song, “Dear Old Pampa High School,” but many do not know its history. The words were written about 1930 by R. B. Fisher, superintendent of Pampa schools at that time.

Eloise Lane

Eloise Lane
The school song is sung to the melody of the chorus of “Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” words by Beth Slater Whitson and music by Leo Friedman. Published in 1910, the song became an all-time hit and was the sure-fire opening for almost any community singing group for many years. Ruth Greene remembered that the pep squad approved the selection of “Dear Old Pampa High School” as the school song. Several Pampans remember an assembly in the new gymnasium (corner North Cuyler and West Browning) when copies of the song were distributed and Superintendent Fisher sang it for the student body.
The words appeared in the Harvester (high school annual) for the first time in 1931. Roy B. Fisher received the A. B. degree from Northwestern Teachers’ College in Alva, Oklahoma in 1924 and was superintendent of schools in Cherokee, Okla- homa for two years before he came to Pampa in August of 1927. For two years he was principal of the high school, taught algebra classes and did his own secre- tarial work. He was promoted to superintendent of schools for the year 1929-30 and continued in that capacity until January 1938 when he resigned to become superintendent of schools in Corpus Christi, Texas, on February 1, 1938. Fisher received the Master of Arts degree from Columbia University in 1933 and made an educational tour of Europe in the summer of 1935.
In 1937 Pampa teachers presented him with a life membership in the National Education Associa- tion. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa and Phi Beta Sigma, educational fra- ternities, and he was a Mason, president of the Lions club and a member of the Methodist church where he directed the choir for several years. Fisher and his wife Gertrude lived at 806 North Somerville for several years before they built the house at 900 North Somerville.
At the beginning of Fisher’s first year in Pampa there were 40 teachers and 1629 students in the whole system. When he left in 1938, there were 125 teachers and 3500 students. He came before the east and west wings were added to the high school build- ing at 126 West Francis. Woodrow Wilson had not been built, but B. M. Baker and Horace Mann were under construction. High school athletes were playing basketball on the grounds of the future courthouse and football on the old airport grounds (Lefors Street at the northeast corner of Twiford). Fisher had a great deal to do with the planning of the auditorium of the beautiful new high school building at 111 East Harvester. The entire curriculum of the Pampa schools was completely revised several times while Fisher was superintendent and the 12-year grade system was installed.
His primary consideration in planning the curriculum was finding better ways with which to improve the personalities of the students. He inaugurated physical education, art and socialized recitations into the Pampa school system. L. L. Sone, high school principal who succeeded Fisher as superintendent, said, “Mr. Fisher has welded together the efforts of the entire faculty and has gained loyal support from every individual. His motto has always been, `Be happy in your work.’
One among many outstanding things that he has done is that of promoting music in the system through the bands and glee clubs. He has pioneered the field of band work in the elementary schools.” Underneath his picture in the 1937 Harvester this caption appears: “R. B. Fisher, our superintendent, who gives to his administration of the Pampa Public Schools the viewpoint of a scholar, a man of practical experience, and an idealist.”
Over 200 Articles, written by Eloise Lane, were published in the Pampa News. These articles may be accessed by clicking on each section below. A list of articles will be revealed that are linked to a page containing the text of the article.
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Articles 1-20
- Origin Of The "White Deer" Name
- The Log House On White Deer Creek
- Obtaining The Land
- The Lands Organized
- Cattle Brands Tell Story
- Ghosts And All
- Southern Kansas Railroad
- Fire Guard Dam
- When The Railroad Came
- The Sutton RR Station
- Post Office At Pampa
- The Bell Family
- J.C. Short
- Pampa 1892-1902
- Pampa Laid Out In 1902
- Crystal Palace Founded
- Gray County Organization
- Organization - Continued
- Gray County - Lefors
- McLean - The Largest Town
Articles 21-40
- Gouge Eye
- The "Mother Road"
- German Family Reunion
- Desks From Hopkins
- Grandview School Begins
- The Oil Money
- History Wall Painted
- Boydston Or Boydstun?
- Ontario???
- Laketon - Early Farming
- Laketon - Continued
- First Couple To Marry
- Hoover
- Water Well Drilling
- Kingsmills Visit Pampa
- George Tyng Left
- Tragedy In Utah
- T.D. Hobart - Manager
- M.K. Brown Arrives
- Rider Livery Stable
Articles 41-60
- The Pioneer Cottage
- Pampa's First Doctor
- Doctor Makes House Calls
- A Red Cross Nurse
- Pampa's First School
- Hobart Went To London
- Cemetery Began In 1904
- First Business District
- C.P. Buckler Arrives
- Five Barrett Brothers
- Influence Of The Santa Fe
- Trains Still Roll
- John V. Thomass - Teacher
- Cattle-loading Center
- Rolla J. Sailor & Arrowheads
- A.H. Doucette Arrives
- Lands Are Advertised
- The Holland Hotel
- Wheat Left Pampa
- First National Bank Begins
Articles 61-80
- Pampa News Begins
- First Denominational Church
- 2nd Office Of WD Lands
- J.N. Duncan Arrives
- Nels Walberg Sells…
- Dormer Simms
- Fourth Of July Celebrations
- Pampa's First Cars
- Pampa In 1907-08
- J.S. Wynne Family Arrives
- Gray Count State Bank
- Baptist Church Organized (Under Construction)
- Joe & Lizzie Bowers
- Threatened By Prairie Fire
- Library Began In 1907
- J.R. Henry
- Sir Gordan & Lady Cunard
- Three Vicars Brothers
- Dodd Grain And Produce
- December 29, 1991
Articles 81-100
- D.C. Davis Family
- Long Christmas Celebration
- First Christian Church
- Facts About Pampa
- Buster Brown
- The Last Hanging
- Bones Hooks
- The "Red Brick" Is No More
- The Purviances Family
- The Dr. E. von Brunow Park
- Boards Of First Headquarters
- Mary Jane Purvis
- Cook - Adams Addition
- Nativity Scenes
- Clyde Carruth
- The Mine Tragedies
- Additions To Pampa
- Third Family In Pampa
- Frank Dittmeyer
- Bricklayer Indian Jim
Articles 101-120
- A.A. Tiemann
- First Movies And Lights
- Pampa Incorporated
- Mark And Sara Fletcher
- Annie Baker Daniels
- Pampa's Business District
- Birthday Tea Of 1919
- Former Pampa Minister
- John Mack Patton
- The First Brass Band
- Early Graduating Class
- "How We Met"
- F.P. Greever Is Assassinated
- George Tyng's Father
- L.H. & Lula Greene
- John & Lena McKamy
- Robert & Mary Yeager
- "Dear Old PHS"
- Supt. Believed In People
- William A. & Ruth Green
Articles 121-140
- Jason A and Alice Poole
- Wayside School
- Pampa Football Begins
- The Pampa School Building
- Rev. C. E. Lancaster
- Panhandle Lumber Co.
- Will Wilks & Mora Hughey
- An Unusual Valentine
- Charles A. Tignor
- O. A. Barrett
- Poppies In Flanders Fields
- Barnard & Williams Families
- 4th of July Celebrations
- Cuyler Street Underpass
- The King Family
- Kretmeier and Baer Families
- Stephen B. Oates
- Phebe Worley
- Organization of Gray County
- First Courthouse
Articles 141-160
- Pampa Laid Out in 1902
- Pampa in 1902
- W. R. Kaufman
- The Pampa Country Club
- Living In Pampa in 1902
- Pampa Buildings of 1902
- May Foreman Carr
- Scaffers - Early Residents
- Nita Luna
- Former Sub Debs Reminisce
- PHS In 1932
- PHS Appreciated
- The Forth Worth and Denver
- From Pampa to Childress
- The Origination Of "Taps"
- The Warners
- J. C. Studer
- Floyd, John and Otto
- Our American Flag
- Stories and Memories
Articles 161-180
- Museum in Pampa?
- The Franklin Farm
- The Franklin Family
- Beryl Wayne Vicars
- Historian Made Cookies
- The Pioneer Cottage
- The Orginial Swastika
- Library Clerk
- Women's Clothing Store
- Jon and Pat McConal
- Whitey Walker Gang
- How Rudolph Began
- Gwendolen Avenue
- Jerry Kerbow
- Two Paintings
- Second Part - Paintings
- Bones Hooks
- Original Nativity Figures
- Why "V" Instead of "U"
- Pampa Incorporated