Bookplates

The R. Hawley Fitch Book Endowment

July 1, 1986

This fund was established in 1986 in memory of Roderick Hawley Fitch (1901-1985), Class of 1923, in order to provide funds for the purchase of books.

Mr. Fitch arrived on College Hill while his uncle, Edward Fitch, Class of 1886, had been teaching Greek for 30 years. R. Hawley Fitch joined Theta Delta Chi fraternity and became involved with many activities on campus, including serving as the president of the Y.M.C.A. Cabinet, an elder of the College Church, and a participant in intercollegiate debate. His talents in oration earned him the McKinney Prize in Speaking. His involvement also included a passion for music. He was a pianist on the campus musical scene, active with Instrumental Club, leader of the Glee Club, and organist at the Chapel. Post-graduation, he attended Union Theological Seminary and earned a B.D. degree in 1927. Ordained as a Congregational minister, he served pastorates in New England before entering the U.S. Army in 1942 as a chaplain. Following World War II, he began work in sales for Alaskan Copper and Brass Company in Seattle, before retiring in 1961. An ardent supporter of Hamilton, he was elected as the first president of the Pacific Northwest Alumni Association.