Phi Delta Theta has lost a true legend. Bob Fitzpatrick, Maryland (Bond #550) passed away early this morning in Washington, DC at the age of 82. He is survived by his wife Joan, son Mark and his wife Kimberly, daughter Kelley, and grandchildren Tara, Casey and Shea.
Fitz has left a strong legacy within Phi Delta Theta due to the impact he had on so many of our brothers — and not just at the University of Maryland.
Over the years, he had served as Chapter Adviser for Maryland Alpha, House Corporation President, Province President, DC Area Alumni Club President and Warden for the General Fraternity. He was always generous with his time and his love of our fraternity was undeniable.
Of course, Fitz was a loyal Terps fan and when he could, he enjoyed spending time back on campus. He rarely missed a home basketball game and with tickets on the floor, he wasn’t shy about confronting referees after missed calls! Afterwards, you could always find him holding court with fellow Phis at RJ Bentley’s.
In later years, it became more difficult for Fitz to attend games. As featured in The Scroll, Summer 2012 (page 21), more than 30 Phi Delts and Phikeias visited Fitz at his home in Washington, DC in February 2012 to watch the Maryland Terrapins take on the Virginia Cavaliers — a true testament to the lasting impression he had made on undergraduates and alumni alike.
Later that year in July, the fraternity was very fortunate to see and hear from Bob as he addressed the 2012 General Convention in Washington, DC. (Photo at the top of this post.)
In honor of his commitment and dedication to the fraternity, Maryland Alpha inducted Brother Fitzpatrick into their Hall of Fame in 2010 (below) coinciding with the chapter’s 80th anniversary, where they established a scholarship in his name for an undergraduate Phi Delt from the Maryland Alpha chapter. Donations can be made to the Bob Fitzpatrick Fund through the Phi Delta Theta Foundation.
Now in the Chapter Grand, we can only imagine that Brother Fitzpatrick is abiding by his own motto which he admonished us to follow during fraternity gatherings, “Be quiet and walk straight.”
Farewell, Fitz! We cherish the memories we share and will always strive to live up to the example you set. We’ll miss you, Brother!
In Coelo Quies Est
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Saturday, September 14, 2013 – Phi Delts from the University of Maryland (Maryland Alpha) pay last respects and say farewell to Brother Bob Fitzpatrick at his funeral service at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church in Washington, DC. Fitz was a longtime Maryland chapter adviser, province president and former General Fraternity Warden.
Photo credit: Mike Sikorski
Sunday, April 27, 2014 – University of Maryland’s Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life (DFSL) inducted the first group of Greek alumni from every fraternity and sorority chapter that existed on the campus over the past 100 years into their newly formed Greek hall of fame, The Centennial Honor Roll. DFSL thought it was important to recognize their Greek members that had made time, physical and/or financial contributions to their Maryland chapter or the University of Maryland’s Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life community; elevated fraternity and sorority life on a chapter or community level; or any combination of these achievements.
The Maryland Alpha Chapter of Phi Delta Theta was proud to have ten (10) brothers inducted into the Centennial Honor Roll including:
Robert “Fitz” Fitzpatrick ’58
Brother Fitzpatrick had a successful business career with Fannie Mae Corporation retiring as Senior Vice President of Administration. Fitz was a major supporter of the University of Maryland Terrapin Athletics and was known around campus for over five decades.
Contributions to Chapter: Chapter President, Chapter Advisor, House Corporation President and Member, Province President Gamma South of Phi Delta Theta, General Fraternity Warden and Member of the Maryland Alpha Hall of Fame.