Richard William Fitzpatrick

Richard William Fitzpatrick, 78, passed away peacefully on Oct. 20, 2025, in Green Valley, Ariz., with his wife, Sally, at his side. He was born in 1947 in Lincoln, Neb., the son of Sylvia and William Fitzpatrick. He graduated from Glenwood, Iowa High School in 1965, and went on to attain further degrees: Northwest Missouri State University — BS; Indiana State University — Masters; and University of Wisconsin — PhD.

He was married to Sally Smith in Iowa City, Iowa in 1970. They had two sons: Brian Matthew Fitzpatrick (Colchester, Vt.), in 1972; and Bradley Ryan Fitzpatrick (Temecula, Calif.), in 1975. 

Fitz’s grandchildren are Meayva Fitzpatrick and Autumn Fitzpatrick in Vt.; and Maya Fitzpatrick and Holden Fitzpatrick in Calif. 

He was preceded in death by his mother, Sylvia Fitzpatrick, three sisters — Delores Otterstein, Ellie Achterhoff, and Sharon Osterholm; a nephew — Jeff Smith; mother-in-law — Nan Smith; father-in-law — Ted Smith; and niece — Rachel Wester.

He is survived by his wife, Sally Fitzpatrick; his brothers-in-law — Jim Wester and Leary Smith; his nephew — Tim Osterholm; and his nieces — Becky Ruth, Mindy Smith, Demi Balthus. 

Memorials may be sent to his Wisconsin Church: St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 650 Old Abe Road; Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538.