Richard Fitch, 93 years of age, passed away on April 6 at Legacy Immanuel Hospital following a long battle with cancer and lymphoma.

He was born on April 16, 1930 in Fort Dodge, Iowa to the late Theodore and Anna Mae Fitch.  He was one of ten children.  Richard joined the Air Force in as an airman, second class, serving as a military policeman guarding the Air Force base.  After his honorable discharge,  he fell in love with the natural beauty of the west coast while visiting family and working in Washington state.  He moved to California, where he met Edith Robinson.  They were married in 1981 and one daughter, Elizabeth, was born from this union.  Richard delivered motorhomes across the country, often taking Edith with him.  They moved from sunny Burbank, California to Portland, Oregon in the late 90s.  He enjoyed remodeling their home with its backyard views of the Willamette River and the arches of St. Johns Bridge.  He and Edith happily cultivated beautiful roses in their front yard.

Richard loved to sing hymns, accompanied by Edith on the piano.  One scripture he often quoted to his daughter at the end of nearly every phone call was "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." – Numbers 6:24.  He was a devoted husband to Edith for 41 years and selflessly and faithfully cared for her until pain and illness prevented him from doing so.

Richard is survived by his wife Edith, daughter Elizabeth Stickfort (husband Aric), his brother Jesse Fitch, his sister Lenna Fitch-Webb, one grandson Aaron, and numerous nephews and nieces.  He will be laid to rest in the Willamette National Cemetery and will be fondly remembered as a gentle-mannered man and devoted husband and father."