Alan C. Fitts ’57

Alan was born Nov. 20, 1934, in Plainfield, N.J. After graduating from Plainfield High School, he took a post-grad year at Lawrenceville in 1953, attaining All-American status in swimming for setting the New Jersey state record in the 200-yard freestyle. At Princeton, he joined Charter Club and continued to swim. He graduated from Lafayette College in 1958.

During his 40-year career in investments, Alan worked in sales and trading in New York and Philadelphia at several firms, including Salomon Brothers and Merrill Lynch. Alan had a sharp mind and a dry wit, enjoying the New York Times crossword puzzles and closely following the stock markets even after his retirement from Wellington Management Co. in 1998. His athletic interests varied from racquet sports to skiing, yoga, and fitness. At 60, he began running triathlons, beating participants 20 years younger in the swimming leg of the races. At 81, he completed his last triathlon, the Philly Tri.

After retirement, Alan renewed his passion for the guitar and played and chanted in Sanskrit at yoga classes in the Philadelphia region until COVID-19. He also learned to play the harmonium. He was a 55-year member of the Merion Cricket Club, swimming laps almost to the end of his life.

Alan died April 11, 2023. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jody; sons Alan Jr. and his wife Nancy, and Caleb and his wife Kendra; grandchildren Charles, Susanna, and Josie. Alan’s first wife, Susanna, died in 1972.