Dr. Pitcher joined the faculty at UNM School of Medicine in 1978, and served as the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, Chief Medical Officer for UNM Hospitals, and Professor of Medicine within the Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, up until his death in 1992. 

Dr. Pitcher was born and raised in Pontiac, Illinois. He received his undergraduate degree in Biology from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, and then graduated with honors from Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Pitcher then completed his internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship training at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas while beginning a distinguished 20 year career in military medicine. During his military career, Dr. Pitcher served assignments at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, the 106^thGeneral Hospital in Tokyo, Japan (during the Vietnam conflict), and finally at one of the Army’s primary teaching facilities at William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) in El Paso, Texas. Dr. Pitcher served as the Chief of Gastroenterology, and the Chief of Medicine at WBAMC from 1968 through 1978, and was instrumental in initiating a combined services (Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and other federal health services) national Digestive Disease Symposium known as the William Beaumont Society National Symposium held annually in El Paso, Texas. During his military career, Dr. Pitcher was awarded many military honors including the Meritorious Service Award and multiple commendations from the Army Surgeon General. He also was picked to serve as the personal physician for General Omar Bradley, who resided at Ft. Bliss in El Paso during the last years of his life. Dr. Pitcher retired from the military in 1978 at the rank of full Colonel, and was recruited to, and accepted the position of Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer and Professor of Medicine at UNM. 

Dr. Pitcher was a nationally recognized leader in the field of gastroenterology, and served as President of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy from 1987-1988, and served in many other regional and national leadership roles including in the American Gastroenterological Association, the American College of Physicians, and as Chairman of the National Digestive Disease Coalition. Dr. Pitcher was a frequently sought-after lecturer and consultant. Just prior to his death, Dr. Pitcher received national recognition for his outstanding contributions to gastroenterology and was awarded the prestigious Rudolph Schindler Award by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. At UNM, Dr. Pitcher was recognized not only for his national reputation in gastroenterology, but also for his competent, diplomatic oversight of medical staff affairs, and his forward-looking strategic leadership for the clinical mission of the School of Medicine. 

Dr. Pitcher was also recognized by medical students and medicine residents and gastroenterology fellows throughout his career for his thoughtful, thorough, and effective teaching delivered with authority and humor.