Dr.
Dr. Russell G. Fitzgerald
d. October 15, 2015
Dr. Russell G. Fitzgerald, 84, of Lynchburg, Va., ran with endurance and perseverance the race set before him and is now victorious in Jesus. He was called to Heaven on Thursday, October 15, 2015. He was the loving husband of his cherished wife, Elizabeth “Joann” Fitzgerald, with whom he celebrated 60 years of marriage and life together on August 6, 2015. He was a dedicated man of faith who so deeply loved his family. His contagious laughter, sense of humor, unfailing love, support, wisdom, and strength will forever be missed.
He was born April 4, 1931, in Westernport, Md., to the late Blanche and Russell Fitzgerald, Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Fitzgerald; sister, Linda Fitzgerald; and half-brother, Guy Fitzgerald (“Skeetie”).
Dr. Fitzgerald had a long and distinguished career in higher education and service to the Lord. He graduated from Bruce High School in Westernport, Md. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Education from Frostburg State College (now Frostburg University) in Frostburg, Md., and earned a Master of Arts degree with a dual major in History and Education from West Virginia University. He then embarked on additional graduate studies at the University of New Hampshire, Northwestern University, and the University of Virginia, with concentrations in Higher Education Management and Evaluation. He went on to earn his doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction and History Education and Supervision, from WVU.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Fitzgerald served as Assistant Professor of Education for Concord College (now Concord University) in Athens, WV, and then became Professor of Education and Supervisor of Student Teaching at Fairmont State College (now Fairmont State University) in Fairmont, W.Va.. He was honored to serve as President of the West Virginia Association of Teacher Educators, and was editor of the West Virginia ATE Journal of Education Research. In addition, he was a consultant and evaluator for the West Virginia Governor’s Committee on Education and was a member of the West Virginia Council on Professional Education. In 1976, he accepted a position as Professor of Education at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. He later held positions there as Dean of Education, Academic Dean of the College, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, and finally, Vice-Provost for Graduate Education and Advanced Studies. During his time as Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Fitzgerald spearheaded the initial self-study, and was instrumental in the eventual accreditation of Liberty University (then Liberty Baptist College) by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). In 1989, Dr. Fitzgerald left Liberty University to return to West Virginia, where he served as Chairman of the Education Program and Director of Teacher Education and Certification, as well as Professor of Education at Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, W.Va. In 1994, Dr. Fitzgerald was invited by the Board of Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) in Forest, Va., to serve as Associate Executive Director. Dr. Fitzgerald went on to accept the position of Executive Director, a title that evolved into President. Under his leadership, TRACS was granted recognition by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). During his tenure at TRACS, he served as a representative on the U.S. Secretary of Education’s Advisory Council. He was invited by President George W. Bush to participate as a representative to initiate the No Child Left Behind program. Dr. Fitzgerald retired from TRACS in 2010, at the age of 79.
In addition to his wife, Joann, he is survived by his son, Brad Fitzgerald and wife, Ruth; daughter, Gwen Riggleman and husband, Newton; grandchildren, Bradley Fitzgerald, Erin Fitzgerald, Skye Riggleman, and twins Kara and Kayla Riggleman; brothers, Paul Fitzgerald and wife, Dora; Richard Fitzgerald and wife, Kathleen; and Norman Fitzgerald and wife, Carolyn; sisters, Janet Martin and husband, John; and Shirley Moore and husband, Bob; sister-in-law, Mary Fitzgerald; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family he so greatly loved.
Dr. Fitzgerald was immensely proud of his family and Irish heritage. His interests included history, sports, steam railroading, model trains, working in the yard, and music. He played trombone in his high school orchestra, and later formed and played in what became a popular local big-band genre dance band. He was also an excellent athlete, playing soccer in both high school and college. While teaching at Beall High School in Frostburg, MD, he coached football, basketball and track.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, October 20, 2015, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. A celebration of life will be held in Russell’s honor Wednesday, October 21, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Tharp Funeral Chapel. The family will observe a private interment at Virginia Memorial Park.
For those wishing to make a memorial donation in memory of Dr. Fitzgerald, please consider the Christian Appalachian Project and/or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences please visit obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.
Click HERE to Play Dr. Fitzgerald’s Tribute Video
He was born April 4, 1931, in Westernport, Md., to the late Blanche and Russell Fitzgerald, Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Fitzgerald; sister, Linda Fitzgerald; and half-brother, Guy Fitzgerald (“Skeetie”).
Dr. Fitzgerald had a long and distinguished career in higher education and service to the Lord. He graduated from Bruce High School in Westernport, Md. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Education from Frostburg State College (now Frostburg University) in Frostburg, Md., and earned a Master of Arts degree with a dual major in History and Education from West Virginia University. He then embarked on additional graduate studies at the University of New Hampshire, Northwestern University, and the University of Virginia, with concentrations in Higher Education Management and Evaluation. He went on to earn his doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction and History Education and Supervision, from WVU.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Fitzgerald served as Assistant Professor of Education for Concord College (now Concord University) in Athens, WV, and then became Professor of Education and Supervisor of Student Teaching at Fairmont State College (now Fairmont State University) in Fairmont, W.Va.. He was honored to serve as President of the West Virginia Association of Teacher Educators, and was editor of the West Virginia ATE Journal of Education Research. In addition, he was a consultant and evaluator for the West Virginia Governor’s Committee on Education and was a member of the West Virginia Council on Professional Education. In 1976, he accepted a position as Professor of Education at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. He later held positions there as Dean of Education, Academic Dean of the College, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, and finally, Vice-Provost for Graduate Education and Advanced Studies. During his time as Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Fitzgerald spearheaded the initial self-study, and was instrumental in the eventual accreditation of Liberty University (then Liberty Baptist College) by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). In 1989, Dr. Fitzgerald left Liberty University to return to West Virginia, where he served as Chairman of the Education Program and Director of Teacher Education and Certification, as well as Professor of Education at Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, W.Va. In 1994, Dr. Fitzgerald was invited by the Board of Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) in Forest, Va., to serve as Associate Executive Director. Dr. Fitzgerald went on to accept the position of Executive Director, a title that evolved into President. Under his leadership, TRACS was granted recognition by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). During his tenure at TRACS, he served as a representative on the U.S. Secretary of Education’s Advisory Council. He was invited by President George W. Bush to participate as a representative to initiate the No Child Left Behind program. Dr. Fitzgerald retired from TRACS in 2010, at the age of 79.
In addition to his wife, Joann, he is survived by his son, Brad Fitzgerald and wife, Ruth; daughter, Gwen Riggleman and husband, Newton; grandchildren, Bradley Fitzgerald, Erin Fitzgerald, Skye Riggleman, and twins Kara and Kayla Riggleman; brothers, Paul Fitzgerald and wife, Dora; Richard Fitzgerald and wife, Kathleen; and Norman Fitzgerald and wife, Carolyn; sisters, Janet Martin and husband, John; and Shirley Moore and husband, Bob; sister-in-law, Mary Fitzgerald; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family he so greatly loved.
Dr. Fitzgerald was immensely proud of his family and Irish heritage. His interests included history, sports, steam railroading, model trains, working in the yard, and music. He played trombone in his high school orchestra, and later formed and played in what became a popular local big-band genre dance band. He was also an excellent athlete, playing soccer in both high school and college. While teaching at Beall High School in Frostburg, MD, he coached football, basketball and track.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, October 20, 2015, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. A celebration of life will be held in Russell’s honor Wednesday, October 21, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Tharp Funeral Chapel. The family will observe a private interment at Virginia Memorial Park.
For those wishing to make a memorial donation in memory of Dr. Fitzgerald, please consider the Christian Appalachian Project and/or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences please visit obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.
Click HERE to Play Dr. Fitzgerald’s Tribute Video
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. Russell G. Fitzgerald, please visit our flower store.
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