David Underwood Fitzcharles of Brandon Woods Retirement Community, Lawrence, KS and Naples, FL entered heaven on November 22, 2023. He was born on Feb 2, 1929 and was the son of the late James and Lucille Fitzcharles, brother of the late James Fitzcharles III, an attorney, and the late Sarah L. Fitzcharles, RN. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Alice Ritchie Fitzcharles of the home, and three children. They are Michael of Naples, FL; Diane Covello and husband Timothy, of West Hartford, CT; and Eric and wife Melinda, of Edwards, CO. He adored his five grandchildren – Allyson Covello and her fiancé Imran Cronk of New York, NY; Matthew Covello of Worcester, MA; Evan Fitzcharles of Highland Heights, KY; Adam Fitzcharles of Lawrence, KS; and Ethan Fitzcharles of Lawrence, KS. He also is survived by a dear Sister, Carolyn Wyckoff of Trumbull CT, and many nieces and nephews.
David grew up in Lower Makefield Township, Bucks County, PA, and received a Bachelor’s Degree from Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s Degree from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. After graduate school, David moved to Chicago, where he met Alice through a young singles group at the First Presbyterian Church in Evanston, IL. They were married on October 10, 1959.
Mr. Fitzcharles was employed in various investment positions. He worked as Securities Analyst with the Northern Trust Company, Chicago; Vice President of Investments for Casualty and Life Insurance companies of American Family Insurance Group, Madison, WI.; and Executive Director for Pension and Profit Sharing Plans of Farmland Industries, Inc. of Kansas City, MO. He is a former member of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, and a member and past President of the Kansas City Society of Financial Analysts. He was a Chartered Financial Analyst, a member of the CFA Institute, Charlottesville, VA, and served several years on its Examination Grading Staff. He was a member of Post 14, American Legion, Lawrence, KS, having served in the US Army during the Korean War.
Mr. Fitzcharles was an avid biker, and continued taking 20-30 mile bike rides until after his 88th birthday. He enjoyed tennis, bridge and family vacations including trips to Florida, California, England and Scotland. He also took annual ski trips to Colorado, Utah, Wisconsin, and Michigan for many years.
Dad will be forever inspiring as a bedrock of support to everyone in his family, never wavering through all phases of life, always setting a stellar example for his children and grandchildren, putting the rest of us ahead of himself, and only asking for hugs in return. Dad exemplified humility, delighting in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren, without highlighting his own. Grandpa will always be remembered for his witty, incisive, and occasionally comedic adages about the world around him, and his quiet ruthlessness at the bridge table. He was a good friend and neighbor to many, and his mind ran circles around all of us to the end.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Brandon Woods Employee Recognition Fund, 1501 Inverness Ave., Lawrence, KS 66047, or First Presbyterian Church, 2415 Clinton Parkway, Lawrence, KS 66047-3723.
Details regarding a Memorial Service will be announced by Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home (rumsey-yost.com) at a later date.
