Judge Patrick G. Geraghty, Administrative Law Judge for the National Transportation Safety Board, died suddenly at his home in Brighton, CO, on February 6, 2016, at the age of 82.
He was born in New York City on April 6, 1933, to Patrick M. and Bernice Geraghty. After graduating high school and enlisting in the Navy, he worked hard to become one of the few enlisted men to be accepted to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis in 1953. He continued his studies at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1957. After serving as a Naval aviator in the US Marine Corps, he attended the Washington College of Law at American University, graduating in 1964, and was a member of the American University Law Review.
He held positions as a senior trial attorney for the Federal Aviation Administration as well as an Administrative Law Judge at the Department of Labor prior to joining the NTSB in 1975. In the 40+ years of dedicated service with the NTSB, Judge Geraghty heard cases across the country and internationally, and made decisions that set precedents in a number of areas, including hot air balloon aviation and most recently, a landmark case on the use of commercial drones.
He had a life-long passion for aviation, holding an airline transport pilot certificate and a flight instructor certificate. In addition to his long and storied career at the NTSB, he was also a Lt. Col and senior member of the Civil Air Patrol.
He had an insatiable curiosity and love of learning that lead him to pursue many hobbies and interests. He traveled all over the world, was a voracious reader and still regularly rode his motorcycle. He was also an avid scuba diver. He earned the prestigious title of PADI Course Director, the highest and most elite professional rating in recreational scuba diving, certifying hundreds of divers and diving instructors during the 1980s and 90s.
In recent years, he learned to play the bagpipes, and took lessons in conversational Italian, including an immersion course in Italy. At the time of his passing, he was working toward earning a black belt in Kung Fu, which he expected to complete this spring.
In addition to many colleagues and friends, Patrick is survived by his wife, Donna; his sons, Michael and Matthew, and his beloved grandsons Matt and Jack.
A committal service will be held at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver on Friday, February 26 at 2:00pm. Please use the North gate entrance to Staging Area A.
Patrick was a devoted animal lover and supporter. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, CO (www.wildanimalsanctuary.org) can be made in his honor.
