Fitzgerald, Dr. John Joseph, I. 69, unexpectedly passed away Monday, October 24, 2016 at his home in Brookings, SD. John was born on September 12, 1947 to John Edwin and Bernadine Elizabeth (Meyman) Fitzgerald in Wayne, PA, the 2nd oldest of four children. John was an active Boy Scout in his youth, earning the highest rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, MN in 1965 and continued his studies at St. John's University (Collegeville, MN) and graduated in 1969 with a B.A. in Chemistry. He went on to obtain his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in 1973. He was a long-time, tenured Professor of Chemistry at two different SD institutions: the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (SDSM&T) and South Dakota State University (SDSU). He also taught chemistry for several years at the Garden City Community College (CGCC) in Garden City, KS before retiring in May, 2012. He was a respected teacher who impacted thousands of students over a 30+ year career. John was also a published researcher and an expert in aluminum chemistry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. John was a devoted father and actively involved in his community, touching many lives through service as a Boy Scout Troop Scoutmaster, softball coach, baseball umpire, swim meet referee, and tutor. He taught his children and grandchildren the importance of education, the sciences, the outdoors and belief in God and family. He most recently served as a member of the Brookings Kiwanis Club. John is survived by his son, John (Ella) Joseph Fitzgerald II; daughters, Lisa Anne (Mario Brown) Fitzgerald-Swenson and JoAnne Carol Fitzgerald; grandchildren, Daniel and Andrew Swenson, Lia and Maya Fitzgerald; brother, Paul Fitzgerald; sister, Catherine Berg; nephews Michael Fitzgerald and Anthony Berg; and numerous cousins and other relatives. John was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Carol Ann; and grandson, James Allen. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 29, 2016, at St. Thomas More Catholic Parish in Brookings, SD. Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 31, 2016, at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights, MN. The family will greet friends from 5-8 p.m. on Friday with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Eidsness Funeral Home. Memorials are preferred to the family which will be given to Oakwood Lakes State Park in memory of John. eidsnessfuneralhome.com