Virginia R. Fitch

Mrs. Fitch died Monday, Dec. 2, 2002, at her home. She was cremated. She had cancer.

She was born Nov. 17, 1920, in Los Angeles, the daughter of Harley G. and Alma Teresa (Miller) Preston. She grew up in Southern California and graduated from Medford High School in Oregon in 1938.

Mrs. Fitch attended nurses training at French Hospital in San Francisco during World War II. She also worked at several jobs, including the Guayule Rubber Plantation in Indio, Calif. She stayed briefly in San Joaquin Experimental Range near Madera, Calif., and Leesville, La., before she moved with her family to Kansas University’s Fitch Natural History Reservation, Lawrence. She had lived on the reservation for the past 52 years. On the reservation she collected scientific data, prepared manuscripts and kept records. She co-authored several manuscripts on subjects including birds, spiders and small mammals.

She married Henry S. Fitch in 1946 in Gardnerville, Nev. He survives of the home.

Other survivors include a daughter, Alice Echelle, Stillwater, Okla.; two sons, John H. Fitch, Naples, Fla., and Chester W. Fitch, Lawrence; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

The family suggests memorials to Hospice Care in Douglas County, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.