Patrick served as a role model and inspiration to many. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider making a donation to one of the following charities that reflect causes dear to Patrick in his honor.

Keaton Raphael Memorial

This nonprofit is based in Northern California and provides comfort and care to families dealing with a child cancer diagnosis while raising funds and awareness for a cure.  Their family navigator program is the chosen partner of numerous children’s oncology hospitals throughout the State including UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.  To make a donation, please go to www.ChildCancer.org. 

Walnut Creek Education Foundation

The Walnut Creek Education Foundation raises funds to preserve and enhance the education of students in the Walnut Creek School District and at Las Lomas High School through a broad-based community effort.   WCEF pays for science, music, art and physical education teacher salaries for schools in the Walnut Creek School District.   To make a donation, please go to www.wcefk12.org/

Contra Costa and Solano Food Bank

Hunger is real for 1 out of 8 people in our community, with children as 1 out of every 4 people receiving emergency food.   The Food Bank spends 96 cents of every dollar donated directly to food programs and provides food to more than 190,000 people every month in your community.  To make a donation, please go to www.foodbankccs.org.   

It is with a heavy heart that we share that Patrick Wagener suddenly passed away on Tuesday, September 12.   His family all knew and loved Patrick as much larger than life.  He engaged in the life of all those with whom he interacted.  As a dedicated educational instructor of 50 years, his life was defined by the interaction he shared with the countless students he taught and the numerous colleagues with whom he collaborated with, admired, mentored, and befriended.  As a devouted family man, Patrick was the second oldest of seven children, loving husband and partner of 43 years to Katherine Kofford Wagener (Kathy) and father and mentor of two children, 5 grand children and an actively growing family tree.

Pat was a firm believer in seizing the day.  He enjoyed his morning cup of coffee while listening to music or enjoying the sun by the pool in the backyard.  Pat enjoyed regular bike rides climbing hills throughout the bay area. Pat and Kathy loved their visits to San Francisco, walks along the beach, visits to the museums and ending up with a nice Italian dinner at Tommaso’s. As Pat transitioned into retirement, when they were not visiting family and friends throughout the State, Pat and Kathy loved traveling to the western states, National Parks, east coast and Europe, taking in their beauty and cultures, and recording the time with copious photographs to share with loved ones.

Patrick was an incredible communicator and often engaged in thoughtful conversation. He took the time to converse, motivate, question or listen to everyone from students, neighbors, friends, family and employees at his favorite stops including Whole Foods, Wine Thieves, Ace Hardware and Peets coffee. Bottom line, he walked through the world with his head up and ready to greet and embrace life with everyone he met in his daily activities.

We encourage folks to share their memories and thoughts with all those who knew and loved Pat.