Remembering Cotton Fite
Rev. Dr. Robert Cotton Fite died of a cerebral hemorrhage on August 15, 2017, following a fall at home. Cotton served as the Board Chair of Seraj Library Project from 2009 until his death. He was deeply invested in the Palestinian cause. An Episcopal priest and clinical psychologist, Cotton was invested in serving others his whole life.
Click here for Robert Cotton Fite Obituary.
Hear some of the tributes our Seraj friends have said:
Estephan & Laurie Salameh, Seraj’s co-founders:
Estephan and I lost a very dear friend and Seraj Library Project’s Co-Chair last week Reverend Dr. Cotton Fite. As I type this I can hear his voice and his jovial laugh. Cotton worked tirelessly for his projects and causes, he marched and protested, wrote letters and made calls, organized dinners and events. He was a man of action. When he saw an injustice he did everything he could to correct it. Close to his heart was Palestine. He made frequent trips here, meeting people and listening to their stories to share back in the US. I’ll miss his gentle prodding for more updates and pictures about our work, his encouraging e-mails when the political situation appeared bleak, and his weekly check-ins on our family. Everyone who knew him was blessed by his friendship, his quick smile and even quicker wit. We are heartbroken and miss you already, Cotton.
Newland Smith, Friend and colleague:
Cotton Fite has been a good colleague for the past ten years. We began working together in the formation of the Palestine Israel Network. Cotton was the first convener of PIN and then went on to become the Chair of the Seraj Library Project.
At Saint Luke's Episcopal Church Evanston where he was a member of the clergy, Cotton was highly respected as a preacher and as a pastor. When I informed a fellow resident of the retirement community where my wife and I live of Cotton's death, this resident said, "Cotton saved my life." Two other residents, both members of St. Luke's, commented to me how much Cotton's pastoral visits had meant to them.
The Seraj Library Project is an excellent example of what works and Cotton knew this. I have lost a friend in Cotton. May he rest in peace with all the saints.
Naim Ateek, an active leader in the shaping of the Palestinian liberation theology:
I give thanks to God for the life and ministry of my friend Cotton and commend him to the loving mercy of God. I have always appreciated his faithful position on justice and peace for the Palestinians.