Robert "Bobby" E. Fitzgerald

Robert (Bobby) Edward Fitzgerald, 63, died at his home Saturday, September 11, 2021. He was a life-long resident of Harlingen, Tx.

He graduated from Harlingen High School and attended East Texas State University. He was a former photojournalist, who worked at the Valley Morning Star and was a contributor to the San Benito News taking pictures at football games. His photographs were also published in USA Today and international newspapers. Recently, he worked at his family’s business, Tri-Pak Machinery in sales. Bobby never stopped being a photographer, more recently he could be seen taking photos of his children’s activities, and he loved to mentor budding photographers, especially his wife’s journalism students. He also cared about stray animals. He and his daughter, Marissa, became active volunteers in the H2M2 husky rescue group by transporting and fostering rescue huskies after son Michael rescued a husky in a lake. Bobby also was a kind soul, who taught his children to help others. He was a friend to everyone.

He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Norma Fitzgerald and his two children, Michael and Marissa. He is also survived by his foreign exchange student daughters and son: Monika Schoedl of Germany, Paula Doellscher of Germany, Yuki Nishino of Japan, Kira Dueck of Germany, Anna Kristensen of Denmark, and Takuya Kanoko of Japan.  He was wonderful Dad to all his children.

Bobby is also survived by his father, Alan Fitzgerald of Harlingen, and his siblings, David Fitzgerald (Kay) of Harlingen, Jim Fitzgerald (Kathleen) of Harlingen, and Debbie Groves (Dan) of Schertz, Texas, and his nephews and nieces. He is pre-deceased by his mother, Vivian Mardelle Fitzgerald.

Visitation will be Thursday, September 16, 2021, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, September 17, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church Harlingen.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the husky rescue organization, H2M2, in Bobby’s name can send donations through the following: https://paypal.me/h2m2s2r?locale.x=en_US.