Dr. John Allison Fitzgerald

John A. Fitzgerald, a long-time professor of Political Science at the U.S. Naval Academy, died of complications from lung surgery on March 5, 2021. He was 85.

Dr. Fitzgerald came to the Washington area in 1965 as a Research Scientist at the Special Operations Research Office. He joined the Naval Academy faculty in 1966 and taught many courses in Political Science including Constitutional Law and Criminal Justice. He introduced several new courses into the curriculum and was active in mentoring at risk Midshipmen. He served as chairman of the Political Science Department during the 1990's and on numerous committees at the departmental and institutional level. This included the Political Science Department senior academic advisor and Division senior academic advisor. He received the Meritorious Civilian Service award and upon retirement received the Superior Civilian Service Award in 2002.

Son of Admiral John A. Fitzgerald and Margaret Belknap Fitzgerald, Fitz was born in San Pedro, California. He graduated from the American Community School in Beirut, Lebanon in 1954.

He was a 1958 graduate of Whitman College and received his master's degree in Political Science from the University of Chicago in 1960 and returned to Whitman College to teach. In 1962, he received a fellowship from American University, Cairo, Egypt. In 1968 he received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Chicago.

He lived in Annapolis until 1983 when he moved to a 19th century house in Queenstown, which he restored over several years. Since retiring from the Naval Academy, Fitz was an active volunteer at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (CBEC) for many years.

He is survived by his beloved wife Eugenie Zorn Fitzgerald.

Donations may be made in his memory to the John and Eugenie Fitzgerald Scholarship Endowment at Whitman College, 345 Boyer Avenue Walla Walla, Washington 99362.

Arrangements by MacNABB FUNERAL HOME, P.A. in Catonsville

Online condolences may be offered at www.macnabbfuneral.com