After the first Iron Dog in 1984, Bill Fischer went in on a plane with Steve Karcz, with whom today he is a business partner of Lead Dog Helmet Lights. They bought the plane from Bob Kowalke, an early Iron Dog founder and Hall of Famer, who passed away in 2018.

So, when the next race year rolled around, Kowalke knew who to call on for Iron Dog assistance.

“He knew we had the plane so called on us,” Fischer said. “Steve flew race marshals and stuff for a few years, and we delivered fuel and stuff like that in the ’80s; just whatever was needed, we did.”

That’s the pattern that “Fish,” as his friends call him, has established since those early years. In the ’90s, he helped break trail with a crew of snowmachiners; in the 2000s he worked on logistics and the starts and finishes of the race. Today, he is the go-to for any chore in and around Anchorage – from manning the office to delivering program guides to helping at the finish and state of the race. He and Karcz are also donors to the popular Iron Dog helmet program that provides helmets, goggles and 450 of his company’s helmet lights to youth across Alaska.

There is really no job too small.

“Bill is a guy who does what he does for all the right reasons,” Manternach said. “He wants nothing to do with the limelight. He’s the kind of volunteer who does tasks without even being asked. He volunteers to our race because he loves the sport. He is one of the most amazing volunteers I have seen in my time. His dedication to our office is remarkable.”

Fischer, reluctant to take the limelight, said volunteers across the state help keep the Iron Dog running smoothly. He is glad to do his part, especially behind the scenes.

“I just do my little part,” he said. “I’m kind of the invisible man staying back to do my thing, and just go where I’m sent. I do what needs to be done, and like it that way.”