Reverend Richard Herbert Fitzpatrick, former pastor of Riverdale Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro, Md., and resident of Annapolis. Md., passed away from complications of diabetes Saturday, February 11, 2012, at the age of 85. He was well known in the Washington, D.C., region for his television ministry, The Riverdale Baptist Hour, broadcast on WTTG and WDCA for many years. He was also the founder of the Riverdale Baptist Schools in the region. The son of Richard and Nannie Kate Fitzpatrick of Roanoke, he was born there July 29, 1926. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lois Bartlett Fitzpatrick, of Lubbock, Texas; two children, Dr. Jeri E. Fitzpatrick, of Nashville, Tenn., and James R. Fitzpatrick, of Annapolis, Md.; and two grandchildren, Nicholas and Samuel Fitzpatrick Venable, of Nashville, Tenn. Additionally five sisters, Margaret Fitzpatrick Bowen, of Macon, Ga., Naomi Fitzpatrick Snead, of Roanoke, Carolyn Fitzpatrick Weaver, of Burleson, Texas, Diane Fitzpatrick Leach, of Roanoke, and Sharon Fitzpatrick Lahar, of Fort Mills, S.C., survive him. He was predeceased by an infant sister, Mary; and brothers, Robert, Earl and James Edward Fitzpatrick, all of Roanoke.
He attended Practical Bible Training School, in Binghamton, N.Y., and graduated with his bachelor's of divinity degree from Bible Baptist Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, in 1947. In 1972 he received an honorary doctorate from Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C.
Upon graduation from seminary, he founded the Calvary Baptist Church in Connersville, Ind. Starting with 13 members, he built the church to a regular weekly attendance of 1,300, reaching a high of 2,100 in attendance at Sunday School, the largest in Indiana at the time. He received the Distinguished Service Award for outstanding community service from the United States Junior Chamber of Congress in 1951. For 10 years he hosted a weekly religious radio program called "At Calvary" that was broadcast across southern Indiana.
In 1964, he accepted the pastorate of The First Baptist Church of Riverdale, Md., outside Washington, D.C. From a congregation of approximately 275, he built one of the first mega-churches in the area, reaching regular attendances over 3,000 each Sunday. The rapidly growing congregation moved from its home in Riverdale, Md., to a large complex in Upper Marlboro in 1975, renaming itself Riverdale Baptist Church. Elmer Towns chronicled an account of his accomplishments in the book "America's Fastest Growing Churches".
In 1971, he established the Riverdale Baptist Christian Day School, which subsequently became The Riverdale Baptist Schools. His focus was to provide both academic excellence and Christian values for students and their families from preschool through high school. He was especially proud of the accomplishments of the school's baseball team.
The Rev. Fitzpatrick served on the Board of Baptist Bible Fellowship and its college in Springfield, Mo., during the 1960s. He was instrumental in the establishment of the seminary at Liberty University in Lynchburg, beginning in 1971. Subsequently, appointed to the board of Liberty University in 1976, he served on the executive committee until his death.
In 1998, he retired as Senior Pastor of Riverdale Baptist Church and Chancellor of the associated school, becoming Pastor Emeritus. He subsequently served as interim pastor of Faith Baptist Church of Laurel, Md., First Baptist Church of Beltsville, Md., and Church by the Chesapeake in Prince Frederick, Md. He also acted as supply pastor and guest preacher at many other Baptist churches in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., area.
He was actively engaged in the community, serving on the board of Largo Landing Fellowship, a senior retirement home. Governor William Donald Schaefer of Maryland cited him for his accomplishments and contributions to the State of Maryland. Governor Parris Glendinning also cited him for his service to Prince George's County and the state. The Maryland State Senate honored him for his years of service to the community in 1998. He took great pride in being asked to give the opening prayer at a session of the United States House of Representatives in 1974. An avid collector of antiques, he had collections of cranberry glass and various china patterns. He loved water-skiing and boating. He was also known for his great love of animals, even performing funerals for beloved pets.
A visitation will be held at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel Wednesday, February 15, 2012, from 10 a.m. until a service of remembrance in the chapel at 11 a.m. Interment will be held at the Walden-Fitzpatrick Family Cemetery in Bright's Corner, VA.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Liberty University, Baptist Bible Fellowship International Missions Center, the American Diabetes Association , or the Heifer International Project.
Published in Roanoke Times from February 13 to February 14, 2012
He attended Practical Bible Training School, in Binghamton, N.Y., and graduated with his bachelor's of divinity degree from Bible Baptist Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, in 1947. In 1972 he received an honorary doctorate from Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C.
Upon graduation from seminary, he founded the Calvary Baptist Church in Connersville, Ind. Starting with 13 members, he built the church to a regular weekly attendance of 1,300, reaching a high of 2,100 in attendance at Sunday School, the largest in Indiana at the time. He received the Distinguished Service Award for outstanding community service from the United States Junior Chamber of Congress in 1951. For 10 years he hosted a weekly religious radio program called "At Calvary" that was broadcast across southern Indiana.
In 1964, he accepted the pastorate of The First Baptist Church of Riverdale, Md., outside Washington, D.C. From a congregation of approximately 275, he built one of the first mega-churches in the area, reaching regular attendances over 3,000 each Sunday. The rapidly growing congregation moved from its home in Riverdale, Md., to a large complex in Upper Marlboro in 1975, renaming itself Riverdale Baptist Church. Elmer Towns chronicled an account of his accomplishments in the book "America's Fastest Growing Churches".
In 1971, he established the Riverdale Baptist Christian Day School, which subsequently became The Riverdale Baptist Schools. His focus was to provide both academic excellence and Christian values for students and their families from preschool through high school. He was especially proud of the accomplishments of the school's baseball team.
The Rev. Fitzpatrick served on the Board of Baptist Bible Fellowship and its college in Springfield, Mo., during the 1960s. He was instrumental in the establishment of the seminary at Liberty University in Lynchburg, beginning in 1971. Subsequently, appointed to the board of Liberty University in 1976, he served on the executive committee until his death.
In 1998, he retired as Senior Pastor of Riverdale Baptist Church and Chancellor of the associated school, becoming Pastor Emeritus. He subsequently served as interim pastor of Faith Baptist Church of Laurel, Md., First Baptist Church of Beltsville, Md., and Church by the Chesapeake in Prince Frederick, Md. He also acted as supply pastor and guest preacher at many other Baptist churches in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., area.
He was actively engaged in the community, serving on the board of Largo Landing Fellowship, a senior retirement home. Governor William Donald Schaefer of Maryland cited him for his accomplishments and contributions to the State of Maryland. Governor Parris Glendinning also cited him for his service to Prince George's County and the state. The Maryland State Senate honored him for his years of service to the community in 1998. He took great pride in being asked to give the opening prayer at a session of the United States House of Representatives in 1974. An avid collector of antiques, he had collections of cranberry glass and various china patterns. He loved water-skiing and boating. He was also known for his great love of animals, even performing funerals for beloved pets.
A visitation will be held at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel Wednesday, February 15, 2012, from 10 a.m. until a service of remembrance in the chapel at 11 a.m. Interment will be held at the Walden-Fitzpatrick Family Cemetery in Bright's Corner, VA.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Liberty University, Baptist Bible Fellowship International Missions Center, the American Diabetes Association , or the Heifer International Project.
Published in Roanoke Times from February 13 to February 14, 2012
Reverend Richard Herbert Fitzpatrick, former pastor of Riverdale Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro, Md., and resident of Annapolis. Md., passed away from complications of diabetes Saturday, February 11, 2012, at the age of 85. He was well known in the Washington, D.C., region for his television ministry, The Riverdale Baptist Hour, broadcast on WTTG and WDCA for many years. He was also the founder of the Riverdale Baptist Schools in the region. The son of Richard and Nannie Kate Fitzpatrick of Roanoke, he was born there July 29, 1926. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lois Bartlett Fitzpatrick, of Lubbock, Texas; two children, Dr. Jeri E. Fitzpatrick, of Nashville, Tenn., and James R. Fitzpatrick, of Annapolis, Md.; and two grandchildren, Nicholas and Samuel Fitzpatrick Venable, of Nashville, Tenn. Additionally five sisters, Margaret Fitzpatrick Bowen, of Macon, Ga., Naomi Fitzpatrick Snead, of Roanoke, Carolyn Fitzpatrick Weaver, of Burleson, Texas, Diane Fitzpatrick Leach, of Roanoke, and Sharon Fitzpatrick Lahar, of Fort Mills, S.C., survive him. He was predeceased by an infant sister, Mary; and brothers, Robert, Earl and James Edward Fitzpatrick, all of Roanoke.
He attended Practical Bible Training School, in Binghamton, N.Y., and graduated with his bachelor's of divinity degree from Bible Baptist Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, in 1947. In 1972 he received an honorary doctorate from Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C.
Upon graduation from seminary, he founded the Calvary Baptist Church in Connersville, Ind. Starting with 13 members, he built the church to a regular weekly attendance of 1,300, reaching a high of 2,100 in attendance at Sunday School, the largest in Indiana at the time. He received the Distinguished Service Award for outstanding community service from the United States Junior Chamber of Congress in 1951. For 10 years he hosted a weekly religious radio program called "At Calvary" that was broadcast across southern Indiana.
In 1964, he accepted the pastorate of The First Baptist Church of Riverdale, Md., outside Washington, D.C. From a congregation of approximately 275, he built one of the first mega-churches in the area, reaching regular attendances over 3,000 each Sunday. The rapidly growing congregation moved from its home in Riverdale, Md., to a large complex in Upper Marlboro in 1975, renaming itself Riverdale Baptist Church. Elmer Towns chronicled an account of his accomplishments in the book "America's Fastest Growing Churches".
In 1971, he established the Riverdale Baptist Christian Day School, which subsequently became The Riverdale Baptist Schools. His focus was to provide both academic excellence and Christian values for students and their families from preschool through high school. He was especially proud of the accomplishments of the school's baseball team.
The Rev. Fitzpatrick served on the Board of Baptist Bible Fellowship and its college in Springfield, Mo., during the 1960s. He was instrumental in the establishment of the seminary at Liberty University in Lynchburg, beginning in 1971. Subsequently, appointed to the board of Liberty University in 1976, he served on the executive committee until his death.
In 1998, he retired as Senior Pastor of Riverdale Baptist Church and Chancellor of the associated school, becoming Pastor Emeritus. He subsequently served as interim pastor of Faith Baptist Church of Laurel, Md., First Baptist Church of Beltsville, Md., and Church by the Chesapeake in Prince Frederick, Md. He also acted as supply pastor and guest preacher at many other Baptist churches in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., area.
He was actively engaged in the community, serving on the board of Largo Landing Fellowship, a senior retirement home. Governor William Donald Schaefer of Maryland cited him for his accomplishments and contributions to the State of Maryland. Governor Parris Glendinning also cited him for his service to Prince George's County and the state. The Maryland State Senate honored him for his years of service to the community in 1998. He took great pride in being asked to give the opening prayer at a session of the United States House of Representatives in 1974. An avid collector of antiques, he had collections of cranberry glass and various china patterns. He loved water-skiing and boating. He was also known for his great love of animals, even performing funerals for beloved pets.
A visitation will be held at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel Wednesday, February 15, 2012, from 10 a.m. until a service of remembrance in the chapel at 11 a.m. Interment will be held at the Walden-Fitzpatrick Family Cemetery in Bright's Corner, VA.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Liberty University, Baptist Bible Fellowship International Missions Center, the American Diabetes Association , or the Heifer International Project.
Published in Roanoke Times from February 13 to February 14, 2012
He attended Practical Bible Training School, in Binghamton, N.Y., and graduated with his bachelor's of divinity degree from Bible Baptist Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, in 1947. In 1972 he received an honorary doctorate from Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C.
Upon graduation from seminary, he founded the Calvary Baptist Church in Connersville, Ind. Starting with 13 members, he built the church to a regular weekly attendance of 1,300, reaching a high of 2,100 in attendance at Sunday School, the largest in Indiana at the time. He received the Distinguished Service Award for outstanding community service from the United States Junior Chamber of Congress in 1951. For 10 years he hosted a weekly religious radio program called "At Calvary" that was broadcast across southern Indiana.
In 1964, he accepted the pastorate of The First Baptist Church of Riverdale, Md., outside Washington, D.C. From a congregation of approximately 275, he built one of the first mega-churches in the area, reaching regular attendances over 3,000 each Sunday. The rapidly growing congregation moved from its home in Riverdale, Md., to a large complex in Upper Marlboro in 1975, renaming itself Riverdale Baptist Church. Elmer Towns chronicled an account of his accomplishments in the book "America's Fastest Growing Churches".
In 1971, he established the Riverdale Baptist Christian Day School, which subsequently became The Riverdale Baptist Schools. His focus was to provide both academic excellence and Christian values for students and their families from preschool through high school. He was especially proud of the accomplishments of the school's baseball team.
The Rev. Fitzpatrick served on the Board of Baptist Bible Fellowship and its college in Springfield, Mo., during the 1960s. He was instrumental in the establishment of the seminary at Liberty University in Lynchburg, beginning in 1971. Subsequently, appointed to the board of Liberty University in 1976, he served on the executive committee until his death.
In 1998, he retired as Senior Pastor of Riverdale Baptist Church and Chancellor of the associated school, becoming Pastor Emeritus. He subsequently served as interim pastor of Faith Baptist Church of Laurel, Md., First Baptist Church of Beltsville, Md., and Church by the Chesapeake in Prince Frederick, Md. He also acted as supply pastor and guest preacher at many other Baptist churches in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., area.
He was actively engaged in the community, serving on the board of Largo Landing Fellowship, a senior retirement home. Governor William Donald Schaefer of Maryland cited him for his accomplishments and contributions to the State of Maryland. Governor Parris Glendinning also cited him for his service to Prince George's County and the state. The Maryland State Senate honored him for his years of service to the community in 1998. He took great pride in being asked to give the opening prayer at a session of the United States House of Representatives in 1974. An avid collector of antiques, he had collections of cranberry glass and various china patterns. He loved water-skiing and boating. He was also known for his great love of animals, even performing funerals for beloved pets.
A visitation will be held at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel Wednesday, February 15, 2012, from 10 a.m. until a service of remembrance in the chapel at 11 a.m. Interment will be held at the Walden-Fitzpatrick Family Cemetery in Bright's Corner, VA.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Liberty University, Baptist Bible Fellowship International Missions Center, the American Diabetes Association , or the Heifer International Project.
Published in Roanoke Times from February 13 to February 14, 2012
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