A Canberra father who died less than a year after being diagnosed with a rare cancer will leave behind an enduring legacy with a world-first Australian study supported by his research fund set to begin. Scientist Matthew Fisher passed away on January 8 this year from a rhabdomyosarcoma â a soft-tissue cancer more common in children. "He was a kind and gentle person," his wife Naomi told nine.com.au. "Matt was very reserved but he really loved life and was such a positive person. He had just a nice presence about him. "He was also so brave and so stoic in the way he battled the cancer."