Richard Martin Pitsch was born November 11, 1923 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, the son of Jacob John and Orpha Edna (Chapman) Pitsch and passed away on November 26, 2014 in Seward, Nebraska at the age of 91 years, 15 days. Dick was a 1941 graduate of Scottsbluff High School. He served in the United States Army for 33 months as a clerk/typist stationed in Hawaii; then completed his pre-medical studies at Union College in Lincoln and earned a medical degree from UNMC in 1953. He was united in marriage to Betty Ruth Blitz on June 17, 1950 in Marysville, Kansas and their marriage was blessed with four children, Richard M., Jr., Kathleen, Susanne and Robert J. The family moved to Seward in 1954 where Dr. Pitsch joined the Seward Clinic with Dr. James W. Carr and in 1970, Dr. Pitsch opened his own practice, Seward Medical Center, retiring June 30, 1994. He spent his professional career devoted to the practice of medicine in the Seward area. He was a member of the Seward School Board for 10 years, the Seward Chamber of Commerce, Seward County Medical Society and received the 1997 Seward County Community Service Award. Other memberships included the Seward VFW Post #4755, over 50 year member, Seward American Legion Post #33, over 50 year member, Elks Club, Nebraska Medical Association, American Academy of Family Practice and American Medical Association. He attended the First Presbyterian Church in Seward for years.
Dr. Pitsch is preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Robert and Dot Hammond, Emanuel Pitsch, Vera and Wayne Baysinger, Dorothy Pitsch, Bertha Pitsch and brother-in-law, Paul Joice.
Survivors cherishing Dick’s memory include his wife of 64 years, Betty; children and spouses, Dr. Richard M. “Dick” Pitsch, Jr. (Jody), Kathleen (Ed) McLaughlin, Susanne M. Pitsch, Dr. Robert J. “Bob”(Luan); ten grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Ruth Joice; nieces and nephews and a host of friends.