Photo courtesy of Baier Family Funeral Services - Paxton
Jul 5, 1946 - Jan 9, 2022 (Age 75)
I am so sorry for your loss. I do not know if you remember me. I worked in the registration department at GCAH. I was also a 1964 class mate of Russell.. Hugs from Sharon Keller Fernald..
Sharon Fernald
January 24, 2022 | Saybrook, IL | Classmate
Our sympathy, prayers and thoughts with Doc’s family. He was a special friend and great Dentist.
Fran&Jerry Martin
January 22, 2022 | Ft Myers Beach, FL | Friend
He was such a awesome caring dentist .God bless his family
Jilll Dulske
January 17, 2022 | Ludlow, IL | Acquaintance
Dear Ginger and family, I am so sorry for the loss of your father. From his obituary, he sounded like a very hard-working, generous and active member of his community. I am sure he is very proud of you. I hope you can find solace in his legacy and your memories of him.
Bobbi Gajwani
January 14, 2022 | Chicago, IL | Coworker
Sending thoughts and prayers to family, friends and patients. Dr Pitch taught me so much! I loved coming to work every single.day!! He was not only a great dentist, but an awesome boss and wonderful friend. I am so grateful that our paths crossed in this world and look forward to catching up in the next! ❤
Lisa Focken
January 13, 2022 | Cissna Park, IL | Friend
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. Donna Repetto Freitag (DCHS class of 1964)
January 13, 2022
I am so very sorry for the Pitch family's loss. I spent a lot of time at the Pitch house during my childhood. I grew up with Penny and we lived around the corner from the Pitches. Dr. Pitch was a good man and I am thankful for the influence that this family had in shaping who I am today. The foundation built during our childhood helps determine who we become and this family was a big part of my childhood. I am thinking of you all. Sending love and hugs across the miles and praying for comfort...
Sarah Shinsky
January 13, 2022 | Lexington, SC | Friend
Diane and I always appreciated the love and support he has given our son, Mike, and his family over the many years they have lived side by side in Paxton. When a man, like Rus, loves our son as his own, it is the greatest gift we as parents can receive. We celebrate his life and his memory thru the family that now remains. Peace and comfort Rus. Murray and Diane Murphy
Murray Murphy
January 11, 2022 | Ruidoso, NM | Family
Rus was my first college roommate, our lifelong friend, and a very good man. We shared a love for fast cars and waterskiing, and for 56 years, we could always pick up a conversation as if it had never been interrupted. May love and warm memories surround Phyllis and family in this hard, hard loss.
Jim and Joy Johnson
January 11, 2022 | St. Charles, IL | Friend
Dr. Russell H. Pitch, 75 of Paxton, passed away at 5:16 p.m. Sunday, January 9, 2022, at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center, Urbana.
Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, January 14, 2022, at Baier Family Funeral Services, 406 E. Pells Street, Paxton.
A private family funeral service followed by a private family burial at Glen Cemetery, Paxton will be held.
Russell was born July 5, 1946, in Chicago the son of Oliver and Georgina Olsen Pitch. He married Phyllis Wojcicki June 27, 1970, in Chicago. She survives.
Along with his wife, Phyllis, he is survived by three children, Penny (Mike) Murphy of Paxton, Michael (Kurt Zeigler) Pitch of Champaign, Ginger (Zach) Flahaven of La Grange; four grandchildren, Sydney Murphy, Connor Murphy, Sloane Flahaven and Hollis Flahaven.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son Christopher Russell Pitch and two sisters, Karen Krumpen and Arlene Pitch.
Russ or “Doc”, as he was known to many, graduated from Dundee Community High School in 1964; from North Central College, Naperville in 1969 and from Loyola Dental School, Maywood in 1976.
After graduation from dental school, he decided to open his own practice in a small community. They chose Paxton and opened the office of Russell H. Pitch, DDS in November 1976. In June of 1991, he moved his office into a new building on Market Street, Paxton. He retired in September 2016.
Russ was a 39-year member of the Paxton Fire Department and for several years served as chief from 1995-2002. He was also a member of the Illinois Dental Association and the NRA.
He enjoyed shooting, photography, driving his corvette and reading books about military history.
Memorials may be made to SIDS of Illinois. Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com.
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