LONGVIEW, Texas — Bob Fisher, a pioneer in the development of asphalt paving products and founder of the Lay-Mor equipment line, died recently of a heart attack. He was 59.

Fisher developed and marketed a diesel-powered, hydrostatic, dual-drum-driven, an articulated asphalt roller and an asphalt paver in the early 1970s, sold under the Lay-Mor trade name. The product was sold to Ray-Go Manufacturing and later sold to Caterpillar. He later developed a line of articulated motor graders under the Blade-Mor trade name, later sold to Gehl. The line is now manufactured and sold by Pavement Services Inc. Fisher also developed a line of rotary broom pavement sweepers marketed under the Lay-Mor trade name, as well as a compact motor grader. The line was sold to Waldon Inc. in 1994.

In August 1999, Fisher formed Asphalt Paving Equipment llc to handle sales of new equipment lines and reconditioned paving equipment. He also developed a towable sweeper for the Terramite Corp., for sale to the rental industry. He was serving as CEO of APE at the time of his death. His wife Colleen is continuing to run the company.

Fisher was a well-known and popular rental industry figure. “I don't think there is anybody who has been going to the ARA show for a number of years who wouldn't know Bob,” said manufacturers rep Bob Kennett, of Bob Kennett & Associates, Vancouver, Wash.

Fisher is survived by his wife Colleen, sons Christopher and Robert, daughter Katherine Konopka, and two grandchildren.