David Ford Fitzgerald dies at 90, leaving a legacy of love and achievement

David Ford Fitzgerald died on March 23, 2024, at his home in Edina, Minnesota, surrounded by family. He was 90 years old.

David led an eventful life and was beloved by a large circle of friends and extended family to whom he was devoted. He was generous and outgoing, easily making friends wherever he went and bringing zest to any interaction. David enjoyed a stellar legal career, winning major product liability lawsuits against automobile, aviation, and other manufacturers. His work improved product safety and influenced legislation. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was in his 40s, he managed the disease in a determined, disciplined manner for nearly 50 years, maintaining good health and an active lifestyle. David also had a distinguished military career as a Navy pilot, which thrust him briefly into the news in the leadup to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. He was a lifelong Catholic committed to serving others, and he gave his time and support to social justice causes. David overcame his early learning struggles with dyslexia and exceled in his studies. He was married to the love of his life, Helen Knoll Fitzgerald, for 63 years.

Born on June 27, 1933, in Gloucester, Massachusetts, David was the second of three sons of Gerald Arthur Fitzgerald and Regina Ford Fitzgerald. The family relocated numerous times, as his father's career as an agricultural scientist took them from Birds Eye frozen foods in Massachusetts to General Foods in New York, to Dover, Delaware, where he developed rations for the Army in World War II, and later to Iran. It was in Delaware, home to Dover Air Force Base, that David became enamored with aviation. He later joined the Navy, following in the footsteps of his mother, one of the first women to serve in the U.S. military, having been enlisted as a "Yeoman F" in Newport, R.I., during World War I.

David graduated from Georgetown University in 1955 with a bachelor's degree in history and government and completed training at the U.S. Navy Pre-Flight School in 1956. After serving on active duty from 1956-1959, he attended law school at Georgetown, where he was a member of the Law Review, graduating in 1962. He ranked tenth in his class of 104 students. His first legal job was as law clerk to Frank T. Gallagher, Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.

During two weeks of active duty as a Navy reservist, he flew routine patrols over international waters from Boca Chica Naval Air Station in Key West, Florida. On August 30, 1962, while in their S-2F tracker aircraft 15 miles from Cuba, David and his crew were fired upon by two small vessels believed to be Cuban before returning safely to base. Cuban President Fidel Castro denied the attack occurred. The White House lodged an official protest, and President Kennedy ordered U.S. forces to return fire should another incident take place. Shortly after, David returned to Minnesota and resumed his duties under Judge Gallagher. He remained in the Naval reserve until 1977, flying more than 3,000 hours while on active duty and retiring at the rank of commander. David spoke in depth about his military service as part of the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress, accessible here: loc.gov/item/afc2001001.124111/

In 1963, David joined the Minneapolis law firm that became Rider Bennett. He was the seventh attorney in what ultimately grew to a firm of 190 by the time he retired in 2004. David had the privilege of being a trial lawyer for over 40 years, all with the Rider firm he so dearly loved. He was an exceptionally talented lawyer in that he was successful and respected as both a defense and plaintiff's attorney. Most of his cases were referrals from other lawyers or past clients, a clear sign of the regard in which he was held.

Renowned for his consummate preparation and professional demeanor, both inside the courtroom and out, David worked tirelessly and compassionately on behalf of his clients. He lit up every courtroom he entered and loved the colleagues he worked with throughout his career. He was blessed to call many of them dear friends, even many of those who were his courtroom adversaries. Always modest and unassuming, David was very proud of the work he did as a trial lawyer and represented every client to the very best of his ability.

David was also caring, supportive, and generous mentor to dozens of lawyers, many of whom went on to distinguished careers as trial lawyers, law firm leaders and judges. His compassion, integrity, honesty, creativity, and dedication to all his clients was imbued in the many young lawyers who worked with him over his long and exceptional career. David was a warm, much loved, and truly special human being. The twinkle in his eye and his mischievous smile were ever present.

David handled many cases against major manufacturers such as General Motors, Pratt & Whitney, Volkswagen, and Chrysler. His victories lead to multiple improvements in their products for purposes of increased safety.

David was recognized and honored by his peers through his associations with the International Society of Barristers, the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the American College of Trial Lawyers, all of which are invitation-only organizations of elite trial lawyers, both defense and plaintiff. As a young law clerk in Washington in 1961, he was awarded a Citation for Meritorious Service by then-Secretary of Labor (and later Supreme Court Associate Justice) Arthur J. Goldberg. His colleagues note that David was named a "Super Lawyer" and one of the "Best Lawyers in America," which came as no surprise to anyone who practiced with him. 

David had a rich spiritual life as a member of the Catholic Church, most recently at Christ the King Parish in Minneapolis. He attended silent retreats for 36 years at Demontreville Jesuit Retreat House outside St. Paul. He was a longtime member of the Catholic service and fellowship organization Serra International, and he served as a mentor for students at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Twin Cities. David was deeply committed to the principles of integration, diversity, equity, and inclusion and served on the social justice committee of Christ the King Church.

David studied religion and theology throughout his lifetime, taking a course at Oxford University while in his 60s. He managed his diabetes aggressively, traveling to Austria to receive training in a method of precision glucose control, which greatly improved his ability to remain healthy with diabetes. In the last few months of his life, David’s diabetic team joked that he was probably the only 90-year-old still managing to use his insulin pump. His doctors were amazed at his ability to understand and manage his diabetic care, until his final weeks.

David is survived by his wife of 63 years, Helen Knoll Fitzgerald; his children John Fitzgerald; Molly Fitzgerald, and grandchildren Ellie and Lucas; and Kevin Fitzgerald (Lisa), and grandsons Jackson, Andrew, and Nicholas; and several dozen nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. Always available and engaged, he was dearly loved by his wife and children and by his extended family. He was predeceased by his brothers Gerald and Richard.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on June 11, 2024, at the Church of Christ the King, 5029 Zenith Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55410. Visitation at 10 a.m. will be followed by the service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in David’s memory to the following organizations:

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Attn: Development Department, 2924 4th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408 cristoreytc.org/give/…

Minneapolis Foundation 800 IDS Center, 80 S 8th streetMinneapolis, MN 55402(612) minneapolisfoundation.org/donor-opportunities/

Published on April 21, 2024