 Andrew Fitzmorris, M.D.
September 19, 1920 to July 9, 2012
Andrew O. Fitzmorris, MD, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and "friend to all," passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Cathedral City on Monday July 9. His wife Dorothy was at his side as she had been for the past 65 years. Andrew Fitzmorris was born in Columbus, Georgia, on September 19, 1920 to Dr. Bernard James Fitzmorris and Mrs. Birdetta Murphy Fitzmorris. He attended school in Portland, Michigan, college at Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science (later Michigan State University), and medical school at Wayne University (later Wayne State University) in Detroit. He married Dorothy Eleanor Lyden on June 7, 1947 in Joplin, Missouri. Over the years they lived and raised their family in Baltimore, Arlington, and Memphis before moving to Palm Springs/Cathedral City, California, in 1953. Dr. Fitzmorris began his private practice as a cardiologist after settling in Palm Springs. During those years he was physician and friend to President Dwight Eisenhower, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Betty Ford, Joe Hirshhorn and many other local residents. His "Irish" sense of humor was part of his wonderful bedside manner. He was president of the Riverside County Medical Association and Chief of Staff at Eisenhower and Desert Hospitals. He finished his career by working with Dr. Jack Sternlieb at the Heart Institute of the Desert until he retired at the age of 80. To celebrate the occasion, he took his family on a cruise through the Panama Canal. Andy Fitzmorris loved people and everyone loved Dr. Fitzmorris. He had a zest for life, was passionate about the study of medicine but most of all, he loved his family. He could be found riding horses at Smoke Tree Stables, singing in the Saint Theresa Church choir in Palm Springs and with College of the Desert Community opera. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his children Patricia (Tom Haine), Bernard (Krys Kornmeier), Steve (Linda), and Drew (Jim Knauf); and grandchildren Ryan, Jack, Kayt, and Sean Fitzmorris, and Lara and Lily Fitzmorris Haine. A celebration of his life will be held in September. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Dr. Andrew O. Fitzmorris to the
, 1700 Iowa Avenue, Suite 240, Riverside, CA 92507 [Donation Processing Center, P.O. Box 742030, Los Angeles, CA 90074-2030], online at www.heart.org/memorial <http://www.heart.org/memorial>
<http://www.heart.org/memorial> , or by calling (310) 424-4160.
To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: mydesert.com/obituaries.
Published in The Desert Sun from August 4 to August 6, 2012
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