Departures of note

Doris Fisher, born Doris Feigenbaum in San Francisco in 1931, graduated from Stanford University in 1953 and married Don Fisher. Together they opened the first Gap store on Ocean Avenue in 1969 after a frustrating shopping experience, launching a retailer that would become a worldwide fashion empire.

Fisher served as Gap’s fashion merchandiser for nearly four decades, creating the brand’s name to bridge the “generation gap” and influencing store design, advertising, and product development. Under her guidance the company expanded to include Banana Republic, Old Navy, and grew to generate over $15 billion in annual sales.

Beyond retail, Fisher and her husband amassed a major modern art collection and supported education through the Knowledge Is Power Program. She remained active in philanthropy until her death on May 4, 2026, at age 94, surrounded by family.