Charles Thomas Fitch

Dr. Charles Fitch passed away peacefully on January 29, 2018 at the age of 89. He is survived by his beloved wife, Julie, his eight children (Patrick Fitch, Kathleen Fitch, Suzy Fitch, Mary Gaughran, Annie Fitch, Julianne DeMaria, Michael Fitch and Tom Fitch) and 15 grandchildren (Amanda, Jessica, Dylan, Katie, Kale, Max, Maggie, Carly, Jimmy, Suzy, Molly, Charlee, Sophia, Houston and Mady). He was loved and revered by his wife and children. Charlie was known as "Pop Pop" to his adoring grandkids, who will fondly remember his infectious and loving smile, and falling blissfully asleep in his nurturing lap as small children.

Charlie was born in Glendale, California, and after a collegiate year at UCLA, he served in the US Army overseas as a corpsman in Italy as part of the occupational forces of World War II. He returned to finish his college studies in chemistry at George Washington University and then enrolled in the University of Maryland School of Medicine. After a post-graduate internship year and a year of surgical training, he completed his residency in internal medicine. In 1959, Dr. Fitch, his wife Julie and their young family moved to La Jolla, California, for a fellowship in pulmonology and gastroenterology at the old Scripps Clinic. Charlie and Julie fell in love with La Jolla and he opened an internal medicine practice which thrived until age 82 when he retired.

Charlie thoroughly enjoyed his wonderful patients and the art of medicine. His compassion, skill and dedication to his patients were without equal. He refused to let any patient leave his care until after they had all of their questions and needs fully addressed. He was active in continuing education in his field until he retired which often involved going to Hawaii with Julie for medical seminars, time they both treasured dearly.

Charlie was a sports enthusiast who played tennis for many years, always managing to dominate his younger and faster sons on the court and teaching his daughters how to put topspin on their serves. He was a dominant racketball player and could

school his younger teenage sons in a game of basketball or ping pong, all the way up into his sixties! Charlie loved the water including skindiving, body surfing at Sea Lane beach, open water swimming at La Jolla Cove and adventuring with his kids kayaking the rivers of the Pacific Northwest. He would frequently take his children hiking, skiing and horseback riding as well. He was, at his core, a well rounded athlete and a bold adventurer who thrived and enjoyed physical activity, even swimming multiple miles into his eighties. When his joints beckoned him to slow down, Charlie turned his energies to the swimming pool where he would joke that he was one of the slowest swimmers in the Master’s Swim class at UCSD but he certainly was the most faithful.

Charlie was the patriarch of the historic "monkey house" in the Barber Tract, where he and his beautiful wife, Julie, opened their doors to friends, neighbors, foreign exchange students from across the globe, and any others in need. In some ways, the Fitch house , and its fun and welcoming atmosphere, is one of his most profound legacies he provided for the community of old La Jolla.

Charlie was a great man, but an even better dad! Those who were fortunate enough to know him will readily understand the breadth and depth of his positive influence on his family, his patients, his friends, and indeed, the La Jolla community at large.

Charlie Fitch leaves an unparalleled legacy of love, kindness and service to his wife of 64 years whom he adored, his children and grandchildren who adored him as well as his patients, friends, colleagues and community. He will remain a light in the lives of everyone who knew him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Fitch house this Saturday, February 3, from 1-4 pm with a tribute from the family at 2 pm. Casual. Bring fond memories.