Fitzpatrick, Richard 07/21/1944 ~ 07/12/2014 RANCHO SANTA FE -- Dr. Richard Fitzpatrick, affectionately known as Fitz, was born July 21, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia; and passed away July 12, 2014, at his home in Rancho Santa Fe, surrounded by his family, following a ten year battle with prostate cancer. Fitz was an internationally recognized Dermatologist and Laser Surgeon. His historic discovery of skin resurfacing with lasers is considered to be among the leading advances in Dermatology. He was the founder of SkinMedica, one of the premier cosmeceutical skin care lines in the country. Fitz's second greatest love, after his family, was his long and varied career in dermatology, which included 36 years of private medical and surgical practice in San Diego. After graduating from Princeton University in 1966, Fitz studied medicine at Emory University, achieving membership in Alpha Omega Alpha, and completed an internship in general medicine at the University of Southern California. He entered the Navy, serving as a general medical officer achieving the rank of Commander from 1971-1974, and completed his residency in Dermatology at UCLA in 1978. He then moved to San Diego and opened Dermatology Associates in La Jolla and Encinitas. Fitz had a laser in his hand until the very end, working at Goldman, Butterwick, Fitzpatrick, Groff & Fabi. In addition to treating tens of thousands of patients, Fitz conducted 130 medical research projects and published over 130 medical papers, 3 medical textbooks and nearly 60 textbook chapters. He influenced the lives of countless physicians and changed the face of cosmetic dermatology forever. His accomplishments and his contributions to the world of dermatology were enhanced by his genuine love of life. He was an eternal optimist who will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Above all else, Fitz loved and adored his family, including his wife, Betsy, four daughters and a son: Palmer Fitzpatrick, Elizabeth (Craig) Calders, Ted Fitzpatrick, Maggi Fitzpatrick, Taylor McLemore), Caitlin Fitzpatrick, and four grandchildren: Kasey, Kate, Topher and Griffin. A Memorial Service to honor Fitz will take place Friday, July 18, 2014, 1:00 p.m.Village Church, 6225 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067. All are welcome to attend! In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The Jewish Collaborative of San Diego (www.jcosd.com). Checks can be made payable to: The Jewish Collaborative of San Diego, PO Box 131436, Carlsbad, CA 92013, or The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, www.aslms.org. The main page has information on how to donate to the Richard E. Fitzpatrick, MD, Clinical Research and Innovations Memorial Award. If you have any questions about donations, please contact Betsy at [email protected].

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Jul. 17, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Fitzpatrick

19 Entries

BEVERLEY LOYD

August 3, 2021

What an amazing doctor and friend! He is missed.

Elaine C.

September 24, 2019

9/24/2019

I was saddened to learn of Dr Fitzpatrick's passing and my deepest condolences to the family. I want to share with you my experience with this wonderful, understanding and compassionate man.
I came to see the doctor in my early thirties, struggling to fit in because of a disfigurement on my face. Teased and bullied as a child and unable to make true friends throughout my young life, I found Dr Fitzpatrick when he was chronicled on a local TV news show in San Diego. He was my first hope of a normal life. Through several treatments over the next 20+ years, I am now happy and self confident in my life and I owe it all to Dr Fitzpatrick. I will never know if he truly knew how much he helped me but I wanted his family to know what an amazing person he was.

Elaine

August 4, 2019

Dr. Fitzpatrick was one amazing doctor who helped me over a period of 20 years with a situation that went "very wrong" on my face by a prior doctor. He gave me hope and brought me out on the other side with his knowledge, his treatments, his patience and fortitude that he promised me. There was never a doubt in my mind that he wouldn't be there with me the entire LONG process. His warm smile and caring demeanor gave me all the assurance I needed. I think of him now and then, in fact just thought of him the other day. And even at the end in his trial with his cancer, he personally called me and recommended a doctor in the Westlake area that he wanted me to see who would care for me. He is missed indeed!
8.4.19

July 14, 2015

I'm very sorry for your loss. Though it has been a year since his s passing, that does not mean othe pain will lessen to a tolerable level. In time though the heart will heal.

karen trella

March 11, 2015

Love and Peace Dr. Fitzpatrick! You're amazing life inspires me.

Bev Loyd

January 6, 2015

I just learned of Dr. Fitzpatrick's passing today. My heart is so saddened for the loss of such an incredible man and Doctor. Dr. Fitzpatrick and I started our journey back in December 1992 and I still remember that day when I went in to see him and asked him “how many surgeries did he think it would take to get me back to normal?” At that point, he didn't know, but he gave me a good guess and smiled. Several years later and 34 surgeries later it was accomplished. I trusted him right from the start. I told him with both of our 3-P's (Persistence, Patience and Perseverance) we will conquer this and get through it together. With my medical issue, he helped many others both Doctors and patients alike and wrote about my medical issue in his textbooks.

I am so ever grateful for what Dr. Fitzpatrick did for me, and so very fortunate to have known him all these years. I remember the last thing I said to him in April 2014 - was to please take care and gave him a big hug and thanked him from the bottom of my heart for being there for me all those years. He smiled that warm smile and said goodbye. He kept caring and doing what he loved to do, up until the very end. What a man, what a Doctor, what a shining example of pure compassion he was – and for his bedside manner, that was etched in his heart and it showed. He will be missed. I extend my condolences to his family, his friends and those at Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, including Carrie who was his “right hand” for all those years and helped the evolution unfold for me. May all of your memories of Dr. Fitzpatrick bring you peace and calm your hearts because he loved life and would not want you to be saddened.

With my sincere condolences.

Deborah Hunter

November 2, 2014

I just found this obituary online. Dr. Fitzpatrick treated me, a fellow Atlantan and Emory grad, when we lived in San Diego. He was so down to earth and caring. I am so very sorry for your loss.

September 28, 2014

A great innovator in Dermatology. He gifted our speciality with tools and knowledge that will carry on. Anna Guanche MD

August 10, 2014

August 9
Please find comfort in knowing that God your pain understands and He cares for you. 1Peter 5:6,7

Karen Luhman

August 6, 2014

I will miss Fitz. He was a pioneer and taught us all much about patience and kindness - Karen L.

August 2, 2014

May the Beautiful memories of your loved one provide solace and strength to you and your family during this difficult time. May you also find much comfort in God's promises of life without end in Paradise. Matthew 5:5 , Acts 25:15

July 31, 2014

The prayers of many are with you at this time of sorrow. May God give the Fitzpatrick family, "the power beyond what is normal", so that you can endure each day. - 2 Corinthians 4:7
~D.Henley

Janet Hoban

July 29, 2014

Fitz treated evryone the same. He was a wonderful kind man and a giant in Dermatology.
God Bless

Wlliam

July 29, 2014

I give my sincere condolences to your family. The pain of losing a loved one can only be replaced by the gift that God gives which is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord. The time will come when "God will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."

Ann MacDuffee

July 29, 2014

I am very sad to read that Dr. Fitz has passed. He guided me through my first and unexpected medical crisis with expert care. I will be forever grateful for his care, experience and knowledge all done with humor. He was down to earth and the best of the best.

July 28, 2014

My condolences go out to the family and friends for your recent loss. During this trying time we have pleasant memories of our loved one. Be assured that the God of all comfort has your loved one tucked away in his memory too. May he console you with the positive hope of being able to see your loved one again.

Nurse Baker

July 23, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with you Betsy and your family

Patty Holliday

July 21, 2014

This doctor changed my life and gave all of his patients hope for a better tomorrow. I will be forever grateful for his care and expertise.

Catherine Owen

July 18, 2014

Dr. Fitz is the "BEST" of the best as a Doctor and a Man! I am heart broken and will miss his wit, charm, and smile. There is know one like our Dr. Fitz. I love you, Dr.Fitz. My prayers are with Besty, his family, and his sidekick, Carrie.

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