Richard Hackett Fitzsimmons

Richard Hackett Fitzsimmons, age 89, passed away on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Northland Rehab and Health Care. Richard, or Fitz, as he was better known, was born September 22, 1934, in Port Washington, New York, the son of Andrew M.R. and Mary (Allen) Fitzsimmons.

His father was a Navy officer, so the family moved frequently while Fitz was growing up. He lived in Washington, DC, Charleston, SC back to Washington DC where he finished high school and then rejoined his parents in San Francisco, CA in 1953 and started working for TWA.

In 1959 he met Sylvia while they both worked in Washington, DC for TWA. Three years later they both transferred to Kansas City and were married on Oct 6, 1962, in Millersburg, PA.

While working for TWA he was drafted into the Army. He was stationed in Germany. He returned to TWA after he served Two years. In 1963 he started working part-time for H & R Block. After 10 years he and Sylvia branched out with their own tax business. They had over 250 clients at one time. In 1975 he graduated cum laude from Maple Woods Community College with an associate degree in accounting. He did this while also working a full-time job, keeping books for other small companies and raising his family.

Fitz retired from TWA in 1991. To fill the void of not working, Fitz was the City and Court Clerk for the City of Platte Woods for six years. He was also a shuttle driver for Wexford Place Retirement Community and his church. From there he branched out to more volunteer work. He was a guide at the Airline History Museum, drove people places through Shepherd’s Center of the Northland, had a Meals on Wheels route and drove donations to and from the Greater KC Community Blood Bank. During that time Fitz and Sylvia took 2-3 cruises per year meeting new friends and traveling with family some 45 times. Fitz and Sylvia also loved playing Mexican Train Dominos and Farkle whenever they could.

Fitz was preceded in death by his parents, brother & sister-in-law, Allen & Nancy, nephew, Robert. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sylvia; daughters Gail Lemburg (Dean, Tyler & Kelsey) and Karen; Many nieces and nephews and their families.

Services will be at Platte Woods United Methodist Church Thurs., June 13th, 2024, at 11am. Visitation will be at 10am. A light lunch will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to either TWA Museum 10 Richards Rd KCMO 64116 or KC Hospice 200O NE Vivian Rd KCMO 64118.