Poem: That Man is a Success...
  Return to Home page

Hamilton Native
Richard J. (Dick) Fitton was born April 18, 1927 in Hamilton and became one of the city’s most beloved residents. He graduated from Hamilton High School in 1945 and then from Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Agriculture in 1950. In 1961, he graduated from the Wisconsin School of Banking.

Military Man
Dick Fitton proudly served in the United States Navy on the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Hornet CV-12 from 1945 to 1946. (Read a recollection from one of his fellow crewmen, Ray Brockman, Seaman, First Class.)

Business Career
Dick's prestigious business career began in 1950 at Prudential Insurance Company. In 1952 he joined First National Bank and Trust Company and served as Branch Manager at the Main Street Office from 1953 to 1960. In 1965, he became Executive Vice President for First National Bank and Trust Company. Just one year later, was named President and Chief Executive Officer of First National Bank and Trust Company.

From 1980 to 1991, Dick was President and Chief Executive Officer of First National Bank of Southwestern Ohio and First Financial Bancorp. Between 1991 and 1992, he was Chairman of First National Bank of Southwestern Ohio and Chairman and Chief Executive officer of First Financial Bancorp. Then, in 1992, he was named Chairman of First National Bank of Southwestern Ohio and First Financial Bancorp and remained in that position until April of 1997.

Community Servant/Entrepreneur
Dick Fitton was instrumental in many initiatives and projects throughout Butler County, as well as serving as a member and chair of numerous community organizations. (View a list of civic activities in which he was involved.)

For his tireless service to the community, Dick received a number of honors and awards, including the following:

•  1965: Named Hamilton Jaycee Outstanding Young Man of the Year
•  1967:  Received Boss of the Year Award
•  1979, 1980, 1983, and 1984: Selected  as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Citizens of Hamilton, by The Hamilton JournalNews
•  1989: Inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Ohio Eighth Congressional Award Council Junior Achievement of Hamilton and Vicinity
• 1990: Named Citizen of the Year in 1990 by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. (View a full listing of Honors and Awards.)

Mr. Fitton was recognized by the Fairfield Sun as one of the most outstanding contributors to progress in the Hamilton-Fairfield community and also received the I Care Award from the City of Hamilton.

Family Man
Along with his business and community service, Mr. Fitton stressed the importance of family. He was proud of his three sons and their wives; Jim and Sue, Tom and Eileen, and Sam and Terri; and his granddaughters Sarah, Emily and Hope. He married Rebecca Pott in November of 2000 and was the brother of John Fitton and Mary F. Fiore. He is survived by Martha Jane Spain, mother of his sons.