Richard "Pat" Albert Patterson's Obituary
Richard (Pat) Albert Patterson was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1937 to Virginia and Leslie Patterson. He left this earth on Friday, October 29, 2021 after a long battle with COPD.
He married Joette C. Schmidt of Manitowoc, WI in 1962, and they were married for 46 years. He married Janet Dougherty of Billings, MT in 2010. He was preceded in death by Joette, his parents and step-parents, and half-brother Thomas Howell. Pat is survived by his wife Janet, two daughters Ann (Robbie), Colleen (Verne) two grandsons and their spouse and significant other, and five great grandchildren.
Pat graduated from Waukesha High School in 1956, and went on to receive his Associates Degree from Carrol College. He also served in the U.S. Air Force Reserved for eight years, and for most of his adult life supported his family as a wholesale clothing salesman, traveling a very large territory in the Western United States until he retired in 1999. He had a passion for cars and driving on the open road, and he spent some of his retirement driving for a limousine company and racing his Jaguar through the Montana back country when given the opportunity. Pat was also a special deputy with the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office. He was immensely proud of that badge, occasionally using it to get out of a speeding ticket or two....
Pat enjoyed America's beauty and the great outdoors immensely. Even in his later years he still loved to travel, was an avid photographer, and was a true die-hard Green Bay Packers fan. He was also an avid story teller of his adventures on the road and the famous (and not so famous) people he met over the years. One of his favorite stories about being a limousine driver was when Ray Charles was riding in the back of his limo and in a very serious voice asked Pat if he could take a turn at the wheel. The Evil Knievel and Ricardo Montalban stories were just as funny. He loved his Tanqueray martinis (extra dirty), throwing the ball for his beloved dog Jessie, spending time with his wife Janet, his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The grandchildren affectionately called him "Grumpa", and he will always be known by his friends as the "World Famous Pat Patterson."
Pat's wishes were to that no services be held. In lieu of sending flowers, please make a memorial gift donation to Best Friends Animal Society (http://www.utah.bestfriends.org/get-involved/donate) or the Utah Humane Society (donate.utahhumane.org).
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