Obituary

FITZPATRICK - Dr. Joseph F. FitzPatrick, Jr., a native of New Orleans, LA. and resident of Mobile died on Wednesday, July 11, 2002 in a local hospital at the age of 70. He was a graduate of Tulane University where he received his B.S. in Zoology in 1959 and M.S. in Zoology in 1961. Dr. FitzPatrick also received his Ph.D. in Biology in 1964 from the University of Virginia. His interests centered on the ecology and systematics of decapod crustaceans. He performed most of his research with crawfish, in which he was recognized worldwide as a leader in his field. He published extensively in systematics and history of biology, and was concerned with the preservation of biodiversity. Dr. FitzPatrick taught at Mississippi State University and Randolph-Macon Woman's College before coming to the University of South Alabama, where he taught for twenty-five years before retiring in 1998. Most recently he held an adjunct position at Tulane University helping to preserve, organize and catalog the decapod collection of the Tulane University Museum of Natural History. He was always active in graduate training. Dr. FitzPatrick was a founder and charter member of the International Association of Astacology. In 2000, he was awarded the title of Distinguished Astacologist by the organization, one of only three scientists who have been so honored. He was also a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. FitzPatrick was a member of the Society of the Sigma Xi, which is devoted to the promotion of research in science. He is survived by his wife, Barbara L. FitzPatrick, five children, Joseph F. FitzPatrick III of Salem, OR, Kathleen A. FitzPatrick of Oak Hill, WV, Eileen E. FitzPatrick, Daniel T. FitzPatrick, both of Portland OR, and Stephen F. FitzPatrick of Mobile; a sister, Alice Louise Broussard of Dallas, TX; two grandchildren, Andrew A. FitzPatrick and Bethany L. FitzPatrick, both of Oak Hill, WV, other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 16, 2002 beginning at 1:00 pm with memorial services following at 2:00 PM from the Chapel of RADNEY FUNERAL HOME. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to The Waterfront Rescue Mission, PO Box 1095, Mobile, Alabama 36633, or the Infirmary Hospice Care Fund, PO Box 2226, Mobile, Alabama 36652. Funeral arrangements by RADNEY FUNERAL HOME, 3155 Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL 36606

Published in New Orleans Times-Picayune on (2003/07/16)