William "Bill" N. Fitch was born August 9, 1941, in Washington, DC, and grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia. He died peacefully on January 16, 2022, after a short hospital stay, survived by his wife of 53 years, Nina, and their two daughters.

Bill earned a PhD in Sanitary Engineering from Virginia Tech in 1969 and spent more than 30 years in the federal government, working for the EPA, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Energy. He and Nina lived in Vienna, Virginia for nearly 20 years before later years in Colorado, Lacey Springs, and Fairfax.

Bill was an avid bridge player, earning more than 3,500 masterpoints and the rank of Sapphire Life Master, playing regularly with partners around Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, and Northern Virginia. He was also a lifelong student of history who visited every state in the country, an enthusiastic do-it-yourselfer, and a devoted dog owner.

He is survived by his wife, Nina, and their two daughters, Julie and Janet.