Frederick D. Fitch

Frederick “Rick” David Fitch, 4646 N. Shore Dr., Clear Lake, formerly of Des Moines, Iowa, died March 6, 2014 at the Mercy Medical Center of North Iowa, Mason City.

     A funeral service was held on Saturday, March 8, at the First Congregational Church, Clear Lake, with Rev. Brad Thornton officiating.  Inurnment will be at Highland Memory Gardens, Des Moines, at a later date. Military Honors will be presented by the Clear Lake V.F.W.  According to his wishes, following 

the service his body will be cremated.     Memorials may be given to the First Congregational Church or the Humane Society of North Iowa.  Rick’s belief in organ donation is his last gift to the medical community.  It is the “Gift of Life” to let his organs be taken to help others to have a chance at a better life.  

     Rick was born Feb. 2, 1936 in Des Moines, the son of Gail W. and Charlotte (Stuart) Fitch. Rick was the grandson of F.W. Fitch, who founded the Fitch Shampoo Company.  He graduated from Roosevelt High School and attended Iowa State University and Drake.  He was drafted into the U.S. Army.  

     Rick married Beverly Allen in 1958 and they had three children.

     Rick married Mary Lou Patton April 16, 1977 at Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines.  At this time the two families merged into one – but Rick always said the dog is “ours”.  

     Rick worked in sales for years; Iowa Drug for many years, then his favorite job at Collegiate Pacific, selling sportswear, especially Iowa State Sportswear.  Rick and Mary Lou moved to Clear Lake in 1995. 

     Rick was a past member of the Clear Lake Noon Lions, where he cooked chicken at 4 a.m. many times.  He volunteered with the Clear Lake Yacht Club where he and Mary Lou “saved” many a sailor with their pontoon, good weather and bad.  He was an avid fan of all ISU and Chicago sports.  He was the past president of the North Iowa Cyclone Club and implemented having it at the Surf Ballroom.  

     Rick is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Fitch, Clear Lake; son, Frederick David “Rick” Fitch Jr., and his wife, Lindy, Norwalk, Iowa, and their children Alicia Fitch, Kelly (Thomas) Selgrade and Shanda (Ben) Lewiston; daughter, Debra Sue Roberg, and her husband, Craig, Montrose, Colo., and their children, Michael D. Roberg, Rebecca Ann (Justin) Mashburn and their son, Holden; son, Scott A. Fitch “Teddy,” and his daughter, Leah; stepsons, Scott A. Patton, and his wife, Angela, Westerville, Ohio, and their children, Lauren Olivia, Alex Gregory and Will Alan, and David L. Patton, and his wife, LeAnn, Aurelia, Iowa, and their children, Lexie and Annika; and brothers, Topper (Faith) Fitch, Coral Springs, Fla., and Jon (Joyce) Fitch, Green Valley, Ariz.; and the “ours” dog, Tigger.

     Rick was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Perry Fitch.

     Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.