HI .I am Katrina, Pat’s oldest daughter. My first memory I have of my dad is when I was about 18months old. It was at night, and we were  in my room lying on the royal blue carpet, next to my white dressers and on the top of it was my ferris wheel musical lamp that was turned on. We were laying on our tummy’s and my VERY large piggy bank was not he floor too. My dad had taken some of the coins out and was trying to teach me about them. Nickels, dimes, quarters and pennies.I liked the coins because they were shiny.

Throughout my 53 years of having my dad in my life, he taught me many practical things. ThisThings that have served me well in my life. He was the one that spent many nights by he fireplace when I was in 3rd grade trying to learn my multiplication tables. He even made me flashcards to help me learn, cards which I still have.

He taught me how to write a check and balance a checkbook. He taught me about bonds and how to manage money. He taught me how to check the oil in my car, how to change a tire, how to check air in a tire, how to jump start a car.

He taught me how to ride a bike without training wheels, how to tread water. He taught me all the names of the major sports teams, how each of the sports worked, how the scores worked, etc.

He taught me how to work puzzles whether they be jigsaw or a word search.

He taught me alot of practical, every day skills that that have helped me to be as self sufficient, independent as I could be which has helped me to get through many tough situations. I am grateful that he took the time to teach me all of these things. I will miss him.

How very much my Sweet Uncle Pat will be missed by our family. Although he and Aunt Marti lived a distance away, they were both ever hospitable and generous in their love.

I remember his black Volkswagen bug in Utah and him letting me join him for one of his verrrry early morning swims when we visited them in Utah when I was a girl. He took me out to his garden and tried to educate me about all things okra and kolrabi. And to make double sure we had a good time while visiting, they took us to a very fun amusement part with a waterslide and roller coaster---so kind of them to treat us to so much fun. We were happy to just hang out in Katrina and Julie’s tricked out playhouse! :)

He and A. Marti were kind enough to fly out for my wedding in San Francisco and made the effort to visit me in Arizona when I had two wee little girls and I certainly appreciated a bit of adult company. When we had relocated to Nashville, we were lucky to have them swing by on their trips from Indiana to Florida and later in life they visited more frequently when I made my way to the coast in California.

Uncle Pat and I talked roses, hunted for Mexican spices, tried to find the best deals on seafood, shared a love for lemon meringue pie, The Atlantic Monthly magazine, BLT sandwiches (or just ‘maters in general) and the ocean. We had the good fortune of pulling off the side of the road once while on the Pacific Coast Highway... and there were whales! spouting up--the first time I had ever seen that in my life. It was magical.

Most of all, I loved his stories about growing up in Missouri; his grandfather who spoke with a German accent and the mischief he got in to, his adventures at the all boys boarding school in Arkansas, his travels and schooling in Mexico and all the interesting people he met along the way that he so vividly remembered. He could still remember the names of all the guys he went to school with and what the breakfast menu was!

I loved his kind, beautiful blue eyes, his hearty hugs, his continuing adaptability to change and technology (“Siri! Marti! Somebody!”). 

I loved his lepruchaun outfits on his birthday and how he made sure everyone had a good time. I remember dancing with him last October in his living room, sneaking a candy bar together in the parking lot of the grocery store before heading home and the beautiful, fatherly love he had for Julie as we headed home on a long road trip. His love for his girls was so evident in how he carried them everyday in his thoughts and concerns. What a super dad he must have been to them. I cannot imagine how much he is missed by those who were the closest to him.

I loved that his heart was fully engaged in life, that he had a lot of grace for folks and just kept rolling with whatever came his way.  I remember many years ago, telling him a story about how we had gotten swindled out of quite a large sum of money and he just shrugged and said, “ehh, well, you’ll have a great story to tell at a cocktail party!” He didn’t seem to harbor bitterness or grudges and didn’t get stuck in the past or wishful thinking. He stayed in reality and genuinely cared for people. What a lesson for me.

Moving to Oregon where Julie lives let me see him more frequently in the last few years and I am so grateful for that. I am also incredibly grateful to Aunt Marti who enabled him to live a very full life even as limits and health issues kept encroaching on his freedom. I don’t think we’ll ever know the full extent of how she served, nursed, protected, cared and advocated for him especially in these last few years. A BIG thank you to you, Aunt Marti! You helped us all enjoy the man we love in his own home, able to live in dignity and safety and joy because of your loving sacrifice.

I am also grateful that I will see those beautiful eyes again--even shining brighter than before. It is so hard to see these pillars of my family rest from their labors and enter eternity. I hope to pick up the baton and be the example of care and steady faithfulness that they have been to those that are in my care.

Until we meet again, my dear Uncle. Thank you for your example of faithfulness, sensitivity, and concern for your fellow man. You will be missed enormously!!