Dr. William Pilcher Fitch III

Dr. William Pilcher Fitch III, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, November 29, 2015. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lula Watkins Fitch and William Pilcher Fitch, Jr., and brother, Gary Welford Fitch. Dr. Fitch is survived by his wife of 44 years, Kay; daughters, Lara Fitch and husband, Ted Lazarus, Dr. Erin Foster and husband, Dr. Alex Foster, and Katie Free and husband, Graham Free; sisters, Linda Holland and Susan Fitch; grandchildren May and Phineas Lazarus, and Atticus and Kate Foster; and dear nieces and nephews. Born in Lubbock, Texas, on May 6, 1943, Dr. William P. Fitch was a graduate of Alamo Heights High School, the University of Texas at Austin (Phi Kappa Psi) and Tulane Medical School. Dr. Fitch served in the United States Air Force as a flight surgeon from 1968-1972. He was stationed at Brooks Air Force Base where he met his wife Kay, a nurse in the Air Force, and spent one year in Saigon at Tan Son Nhut Air Base. During his service in the Republic of Vietnam, Dr. Fitch provided medical care to U.S. airmen and worked in villages caring for Vietnamese patients on MEDCAP missions. Dr. Fitch was awarded a Bronze Star Medal, an Air Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. Dr. Fitch returned to San Antonio with his wife, Kay, and after finishing a Urology residency at U.T.H.S.C.S.A., he opened Urology Consultants with Dr. Lynn Banowsky. He practiced there for over thirty years and then became a partner at Urology San Antonio. Dr. Fitch was at the forefront of the diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction as a clinical researcher. He pioneered the use and application of many early treatments, both pharmaceutical and surgical. Dr. Fitch cared deeply about his patients and their families. He belonged to many professional organizations including the American Medical Association, the American Urological Association, the International Society for Sexual Medicine and the American College of Surgeons. A lifelong resident of San Antonio, Dr. Fitch was an active participant in many civic organizations. He was an early member in the Leadership San Antonio program, a delegate for the Bexar County Medical Society and a member of the San Antonio Country Club. Dr. Fitch was most grateful for the education he received at Alamo Heights schools and served on the Alamo Heights I.S.D. school board, as his father and grandfather had before him. He was a member of Saint Luke's Episcopal Church for over 40 years and served as a Sunday School Teacher and a Vestry Member. He took several mission trips to Belize and Honduras with the church. A passionate Texas Longhorns fan, Dr. Fitch served on the board of the University of Texas Ex-Students Association. Dr. Fitch was an energetic man who had a curious mind and many interests. He grew up hunting and fishing with his grandfather, father and brother in South Texas. He and his wife traveled extensively and enjoyed many years skiing, hiking and fly-fishing in Crested Butte, Colorado, with their daughters. A baseball fan, he coached several little league softball teams. In 1981, Dr. Fitch and his wife purchased a cattle ranch in Falls City, Texas, where he spent weekends and vacations working with his friend and foreman, Marcos Arenas. The family thanks the incredible community of caregivers at the Incarnate Word DeMatel House and River City Hospice who cared daily for Dr. Fitch during his illness. They also thank Dr. John Galan, Dr. Jerald Winakur and Dr. Diane Solomon who offered compassionate care and counsel. On Friday, December 4, 2015 at 10:00 AM, a memorial service will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 11 Luke's Lane, San Antonio, Texas 78209 with a reception to follow at the Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA.org), the Alamo Heights School Foundation, 7101 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas 78209, or a charity of your choice.