Dr. Henry Pitchford was born on June 5, 1929 in Dadeville, AL to Henry Grady and Bernice Pitchford. He attended High School in LaGrange, GA and then served in the U.S. Navy. Following his service, he received degrees from Auburn University and Syracuse University, as well as his Ph.D. in Sociology from Emory University in 1960.

Dr. Pitchford taught at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) from 1960 to 1963. From 1963-1969, he taught at San Jose State University and then returned to the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1969, where he taught until his retirement. During his career, he received many honors, including The Distinguished Professors Award in 1972, The Amoco Award for Excellence in Teaching Undergraduates in 1982, and the Beacon Award for Outstanding Service to Handicapped Students in 1989. He served on the Parish Council at Our Lady of Wisdom Church in Lafayette from 1983-1984, and was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Auburn, AL. Following his retirement from teaching, he volunteered almost daily at the Lafayette Public Library until 2006, when we moved back to Alabama. He died May 14, 2012.