Robert J. "Bob" Fitzpatrick

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Saint Xavier High School Bellarmine University University of Louisville

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Louisville, Kentucky

Robert Fitzpatrick Obituary

FITZPATRICK, ROBERT J. "BOB", 89, of Louisville, passed away Saturday, December 22, 2007, at his residence. Bob was professor emeritus of accounting at Bellarmine College, now Bellarmine University, and served the school from 1950 to 1985. He was born in New York City and spent most of his life in Louisville. During the early part of his professional career, he worked with several Louisville firms, including Brown & Williamson and American Air Filter, in accounting and foreign trade. He also served as American Vice Consul at Caracas, Venezuela, from 1944 to 1946. Bob was an avid amateur musician and played a number of years with The Holy Name Band and with two dance bands, The Mellotones and The Wednesday Night Band. He was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church for more than 50 years and was a lifetime member of the Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants. He attended high school at the College de St. Germain-en-Laye, near Paris, France, and St. Xavier High School, in Louisville. He earned a BA and an MBA from the University of Louisville and also attended Columbia University and Indiana University Bloomington, where he was awarded a Ford Foundation Grant for summer study. Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Louise Carey and by his second wife, Lucille Schauer Williams. He is survived by his son, James Carey Fitzpatrick; daughter-in-law, Patricia C. Fitzpatrick and their two children, Brooks and Charlie Fitzpatrick, all of Kansas City, MO. He is also survived by two brothers, Joseph L. Fitzpatrick (Ruth) and John A. Fitzpatrick, of Louisville; two sisters, Marie F. Wright, of Louisville and Nanette F. Eckert (James), of Needham, MA; nephews and nieces; and by a close friend, Carmen D. Hayes, of Eugene, OR. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1920 Newburg Road, with burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Thursday at Ratterman & Sons Funeral Home, 3800 Bardstown Road. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Robert J. Fitzpatrick Scholarship Fund at Bellarmine University, 2001 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY, 40205 or to the Fitzpatrick Scholarship Fund at St. Xavier High School, 1609 Poplar Level Road, Louisville, KY, 40217 or to the charity of the donor's choice.

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Published by Courier-Journal from Dec. 25 to Dec. 26, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Fitzpatrick

4 Entries

Claire Hilbrecht

December 30, 2007

Uncle Bob was one of my favorite great-uncles because even though he was old, he was very, very, very kind, generous, and happy to listen. He loved to take pictures of his family. When he was younger, he was very adventurous. He loved everyone he knew. I miss him so much.

Love,
ClaireXOXOXOXOX :)

Emily Hilbrecht

December 30, 2007

I'm so sorry that your dad died. I know he loved duct tape. For his birthday, my mom gave him a duct tape book and some duct tape. He loved kids and he loved to read books. He loved to talk and he loved to take pictures and he really really really loved his family.

I know he would be glad to be up in Heaven with Jesus and everybody in Heaven that he knows.

For my birthday he gave me two bars of chocolate at the drug store. My sister shared one with my brother and I got my own.

He was a nice great-uncle and I will miss him.

love,

Emily
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoXOXOOOOOOOOOOXXX

Carmen Hayes

December 25, 2007

My dearest Bob,
My sympathy goes out to your loving, caring family who have always welcomed me like one of heir own.

There is a hole in my heart as I write this. You have been an important part of my life for over 14 years and this is the first Christmas we have been apart for many years.

I will always remember the summer vacations we had in Oregon, Colorado, Vermont and North Carolina, the many hikes we took around Lousville, Red River Gorge and some of the KY State Parks. We enjoyed picking blueberries and apples in Indiana. Your camera was a constant companion wherever you went and my photo box is bulging.

When we went out to dinner or to another event, you almost always met an old friend or former student and you both remembered one another. I marveled at your good memory. You obviously made a positive impression on your students and influenced a generation of accountants.

You were caring, honest, sincere, loving and understanding. You wrote such beautiful notes on cards you sent and I will cherish them forever. I always knew I was loved and I love you. You were my best friend and confidant. I have been blessed to have known you and had your love and friendship through these years.

With all my love,
Carmen

Sharron (Fitzpatrick) Hilbrecht

December 24, 2007

Dear Sweet Uncle Bob,

How can I put into words what you meant to me? You were a shining star in our family. Your stories were second to none. Your laughter was contagious. Your kindness unsurpassed. You were one in a million, and I was lucky enough to call you my uncle.

Thank you for all the photographs, the stories, the time you spent with us. You were always there for everything---graduations, weddings, births, deaths. In good times and in bad, I knew you would be there to lend a hand, give a hug, or just make us smile.

I loved having you over to my house for parties and get-togethers. You never passed up a chance to be with family. You always made me feel like I was the best hostess in the world, when it was actually YOU who were the best guest!

I'll always remember ginger ale at your kitchen table, "Alley Cat" on your piano, smiling for the camera, stamps from around the world, National Geographics, singing Christmas carols in your living room. I'll treasure the memories of dinners at John E's and Kayrouz's, "Ancestral Heritage" photographs, family history stories, and your help on the Ellis Island inscriptions.

Your trust in me to carry on the family history means more than you will ever know. I will do my very best to make sure my children and their children know all our stories. I will always keep the Celtic Cross of yours in my house. I will always be proud of my Irish heritage because of you.

Uncle Bob, I feel like a light has gone out. The world is a shade darker with your passing. They just don't make people like you anymore.

I'm so glad my children got to know and love you. Thank you for all the love you gave them. Emily will always remember that giant Hershey bar you bought her for her birthday in October. You were so very kind.

I will miss you so much, my dear, sweet uncle. I will hold your laughter near to my heart always.

"What a kid! What a kid!"

Your loving niece,

Sharron