Terry C. Pitkus

Terry Charles Pitkus of Rockford, IL was called to eternal life on April 7, 2021 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center after a courageous battle with diabetes, Parkinson’s and heart disease. The son of Roy A. and D. Jeanne (Miners) Pitkus, he was born on April 24, 1940 in Rockford, IL.

He graduated from Harlem High School in 1958, where he was a member of the track, basketball, and football teams. An avid water skier, he performed with the Tommy Bartlett Show. After graduation he moved to Omaha, NE where he worked for Armour & Company and Western Electric. He attended Creighton University and served as a Special Deputy Sheriff with Douglas County in Nebraska. Terry moved back to Rockford in 1965 and worked at Chrysler as a supervisor in production control.

Terry eventually found his true vocation within the fire service. In 1966 he began serving as a volunteer firefighter with the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department and eventually as an EMT—helping to establish the first paramedic service. Later he volunteered with the North Park Fire Department. Following his volunteer service, he took a position with the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal as a Special Agent and Arson Investigator, and he remained in that position for 24 years until he retired.

Terry founded the Northern Illinois Fire Investigation Task Force; was a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators; served as the President of the Illinois Association of Arson Investigators; founded and hosted the annual Northern Illinois Arson Seminar; and was a Special Deputy with the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department. Terry was well-known among his fellow firefighters as “Pipes,” as he was always recognized on scene puffing on his favorite pipe.

In his spare time Terry enjoyed model railroading, train watching and anything else related to trains. The Rochelle Railroad Park Webcam was always live streaming on his computer. He was very involved in the effort to bring rail service back to the Rockford area. He was a member of the North Western Illinois Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and the Rock Valley Division of the National Model Railroad Association.

He was a man of faith and was an active member of the New Milford United Methodist Church.

Terry will be greatly missed by his daughters Andrea Pitkus of Middleton, WI; and Jill (Adam) Keck of Dubuque, IA; sister, Patricia (Walter “Red”) Bainbridge of Rockford, IL; granddaughters Kailey Peterson, Alayna Peterson, and Brooklyn Keck of Dubuque, IA., and his special canine companion, Dewey. He was predeceased by his parents.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Dawn Reed, Pr. Casey Fiut, Fr. Steven Lange, Edison Lim, MD, Pat Nicolosi, RN, Teresa Field, RN and all the health professionals who provided compassionate care for Terry in his final years, especially the last three months of his life. Special thanks to the first responders and Illinois Fire Chiefs Association for honoring Terry with their service at the visitation, funeral, and committal.

Walk-through visitation on Friday April 16, 2021 from 4:00-8:00pm with Fire Department Walk Through at 7:00pm at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61108. Those attending services are required to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines. Share online memories and condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com

Honorary Fire Service Funeral will be at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Road Rockford, IL 61107, on Saturday, April 17th at 12:30pm with Rev. William R. Wentink and Rev. Casey Fiut. Interment following the service at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Those unable to attend the funeral service in person may view the livestream at www.holyfamilyrockford.org by clicking the link "watch mass" 5 minutes before the service begins.

Memorials in Terry’s name may be made to Rock Valley Food Pantry, Harlem Roscoe Fire Department or Cherry Valley Fire Department.