Jerry Mack Fitzgerald, 75, died Saturday, April 28, 2012, at the Golden Living Center in Fullerton, Nebraska.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 25, at 2:00 P.M. at the Grace Episcopal Church in Columbus.

Jerry Fitzgerald was born January 20, 1937, in Alliance, Nebraska, to Corliss "Fitz" and Maxy (McKinnie) Fitzgerald. After high school in Wheat Ridge, CO, Jerry graduated with honors from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a BS degree in Chemistry in 1959. He was married to Laura Angevine in 1958. He went on to receive his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Princeton University in 1963 and won a postdoctoral fellowship from Purdue University. Jerry was an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Seton Hall University and an Associate Professor at the University of Houston. Jerry also was a Visiting Professor at the "Instituto Pedagogico" in Venezuela where he taught chemistry in Spanish. Jerry then went to work for the federal government where he was a clinical laboratory director. He also did research for the National Cancer Institute and was a consultant in environmental chemistry for the Navy and Air Force. Jerry was also the author of two chemistry books and 42 scientific publications. Due to the after-effects polio, Jerry was forced to retire in 1990. Jerry enjoyed computers, history, music, railroading, the NFL, playing cards, and playing with his grandchildren.

Jerry is survived by:
Daughter: Kathleen FitzGerald of Fort Collins, CO
Daughter: Sarah (Dan) Davidchik of Columbus, NE
3 Grandchildren: Douglas, Julia, and Gregory Davidchik
Sister: Janet FitzGerald Wilson of Colmesneil, TX
Sister: Julie (Gary) McCaskill of Mendenhall, MS
And a niece and nephew and several cousins

Jerry was preceded in death by:
Parents: Corliss & Maxy Fitzgerald

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Grace Episcopal Church (Columbus, NE), Columbus Rescue Mission (Columbus, NE) or the "End Polio Now" campaign of Rotary International.