Robert C. Fitzgerald, age 79, of Mitchell, SD (formerly of Ethan, SD) died Saturday, November 19, 2016 at his residence. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at Holy Family Catholic Church with burial at Holy Trinity Cemetery, Ethan, SD. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at the Will Funeral Chapel with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM.

Robert, or "Bob" as he was known, was born October 31, 1937 to Francis Fitzgerald and Velma Barnard Fitzgerald and raised on a farm near Wagner SD. He graduated from Wagner High School and joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17, following in the footsteps of his Uncle, Charles Barnard, who died in WWII.  Bob served three years in the Pacific aboard the USS Frontier as a Metalsmith, First Class.

Bob returned home to South Dakota and met Jan Robbennolt, who he married in 1962.  He learned the sheet metal trade in Mitchell before moving to Fort Worth, Texas in 1967.

Bob worked in the sheet metal industry his entire career, including many years at Tessier's in Mitchell and at General Dynamics/Lockheed building F-16 fighter jets. He was a proud, lifelong member of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association.

Bob and Jan raised a family in Fort Worth. He served as president of the parish council and was active in his local union. Bob and Jan returned to SD to finish his career and retire. He lived for 20 joyful years in Ethan and served for 10 years on the city council. He spent many great days in Ethan gardening and chasing gophers with his beloved black labrador, "Wag". In 2016, he and Jan moved back to Mitchell.

Bob is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jan, son Sean and his wife, Karen, son Brian, his wife Jennifer, and their children, Blake and Audrey. Bob is also survived by his older sister, Madonna Fitzgerald, his aunt, Marjorie Leibel, his brother-in-law Charles Engel and his children, Todd and Shannon, as well as a large extended family.

He was preceded by his parents, Francis and Velma, and his younger sister, Kathleen Engel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sioux Falls Humane Society, or to Feed South Dakota.