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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Sep '99
RICHARD ARTHUR PATTERSON * '46
No. 15853 * 28 Oct 1924 - 18 June 1998
Died in Abington, PA * Interred in Forest Hills Cemetery,
Huntingdon Valley, PA
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RICHARD ARTHUR PATTERSON was born and raised in
Altoona, PA. His life growing up in Altoona was typical for a
boy in those times. He enjoyed sports, camping, travel and studying
American history. After graduating from Altoona High, Dick attended
Millard's Prep in Washington, D.C. before joining the Class of
1946 at West Point on 1 July 1943.
Cadet life was relatively uneventful for Dick.
He had no trouble with either the Tactical Department or academics.
He worked on the Howitzer Staff his entire time at West Point.
Dick graduated a second lieutenant in the Infantry.
Following the Infantry Basic Course at Fort Benning,
GA, Dick was assigned to the 34th Infantry in Japan. It was at
this time that he developed medical problems and was evacuated
to Valley Forge General Hospital, PA. His problem was ulcerative
colitis, which caused his retirement for medical reasons in 1950.
While at Valley Forge, Dick met an Army Nurse, Madeleine (Tommy)
Thompson whom he married in Erie, PA on 2 September 1950.
His first position after retirement was Sales Engineer
with Brown Instruments, a division of Honeywell, which manufactured
Process Instruments. In 1958, Dick became Sales Project Coordinator
with Honeywell's Missile Equipment Division. In 1960, Dick transferred
to Fischer and Porter Co., also a process instrument manufacturer
as Sales Engineer. Dick became Manager Marketing Services for
Fischer 8 Porter in 1977 where he remained until his retirement
in 1986. While at Fischer & Porter, Dick was a senior member
of the Instrument Society of America.
Railroads and railroad history were one of Dick's
major interests, in particular, steam trains. He took every opportunity
to travel on them around the country and as far away as Alaska.
He collected models, commemorative plates and anything to do
with trains. Dick and Tommy enjoyed travel, camping and small
boat sailing. Dick was also active in church groups.
Dick's medical problems deteriorated until he died
of pneumonia secondary to progressive muscular weakness on 18
June 1998. His wife, Tommy; sons, Bruce, Alan, Lynn; daughter
Tracy and grandson, Bruce, Jr. survive him.
Dick Patterson was proud to be a West Pointer.
Though deprived of the opportunity to serve longer on active
duty, he continued to weave the West Point motto, "Duty,
Honor, Country" into the fabric of his everyday life. This
is evident in the remarks of his friends and family in remembering
Dick.
Dick's long time friend, Frank Dutch, wrote: "POSITION
OPEN - BEST FRIEND: Dick was my dearest friend, a rare man who
is sorely missed. If I were to advertise for another like him,
who could really meet the qualifications: kind, gentle, honest,
sincere, loving, hard working, moral, patriot, Christian. Dick's
military career was shortened by medical problems but his love
of right and country permeated his entire being, his whole life.
He was a go ahead soldier even when his uniform became a business
suit. His dedication to the highest values in life double timed
through his existence even while his illness restrained his physical
stride. Dick always came down on the high side of every issue,
morality always defeated immorality, good always beat bad, kindness
always triumphed over harshness, love always mastered hate. Onward,
Christian soldier, your job as best friend is still open, no
one meets the qualifications."
Friend and business associate, Bill Nagel, remembered:
"In his business career, Dick could be counted upon to do
the right thing in dealing with customers and associates in the
company. When he said he would handle it, it was guaranteed.
Above all, he deeply loved his family."
Dick's son, Lynn, wrote of his father: "My
dad was a man of deep faith, which he shared with his children
and put into action with much volunteer time at the church. My
dad was fair minded and just, honest and honorable and even as
he struggled through various physical problems, courageous and
gentle."
His loving wife, Tommy, recalled: "Dick's
strengths were his faith in a loving God, his moral courage where
he took a stand against lying, cheating and the gray areas so
often seen in modern business and his physical courage which
manifested itself as he faced his body's decline in strength
and agility."
To the loving words of Dick's friends and family,
the Class of 1946 is proud to add the words that would mean so
much to him: "Well Done, Dick; Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his wife, Tommy
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