Patterson, Robert C. "Bob"

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• Reference Number: 7921
• Obituary: 13 Dec 2011; Green Bay Press Gazette

Notes:

Obituary:
Robert C. "Bob" Patterson, 79, died Monday, Dec. 5, at his home, surrounded by family of pulmonary fibrosis.
His viewing was held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Friday, Dec. 9, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with his prayer vigil starting at 7 p.m. His funeral liturgy was held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 10 a.m. Schnider Funeral Home handling arrangements.
Bob was born on Sept. 2, 1932, to Charles and Margaret (Beth) Patterson in Green Bay, Wis. He attended school at Cathedral Grade School, Central Catholic High School and St. Norbert College until he enlisted in the military. In 1950, he served in Korea, working as a refrigeration specialist. Upon the completion of his tour of duty, Bob moved to Great Falls, where he met and married the love of his life, Rita (Reidy) Patterson. After a brief move to Seattle, they returned to Great Falls in 1961, where Bob went to work for A.T. Klemens & Son. In 1984, Bob and his sons, Steve and Mike, and daughter, Mollie, started Patterson Enterprises. Bob worked with them until his retirement in 2004. Bob was very active in the heating and air conditioning industry. He was a founding member and past president of Montana's SMACNA branch. He legislated to require certification of HVAC businesses, and he received the second license issued in Montana. He was on the negotiation committee of the NW Sheet Metal Union Pension Fund. He was also a member of the national HVAC organization, ASHRAE.
Bob was active in many civic groups, including VFW, Knights of Columbus, Jaycees (past president), Sons of the Pioneers, American Legion, and Toastmasters (past president). He was a board member, and active parishioner at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Bob was a member of Meadowlark Country Club, and he was a proud stockholder in the Green Bay Packer franchise. In his younger years, he was active in Little League baseball and Boy Scouts.
Bob's favorite hobby was playing poker with his many friends and relatives; he loved teaching his 23 grandkids how to play and taking their money. He was a diehard Packer fan and spent many weekends cheering/yelling for his beloved Packers, surrounded by family. His boisterous laugh was recognizable by all who knew him. He enjoyed spending time at his cabin in the Dearborn and taking people on tours on his pontoon boat at Holter Lake. He was an avid golfer, hunter, fisherman, skier and softball player. He was especially passionate about sharing all of Montana's greatness with his kids. His family cherishes his stories and loved hearing about all of his adventures, from jumping fences at Packer games in his youth, to serving in the Korean War, to camping with his family in Montana. Holiday gatherings were always a blessing with Grandpa first encouraging everyone to join in the singing and then ending with him giving us a hard time for not being able to carry a tune. Throughout all of the years and activities, his loving wife, Rita, stood by his side, caring for him always, especially during his final years.
Bob was very proud of his large family. He is survived by his wife, Rita Patterson, Great Falls; sons, Stephen (Kari) Patterson, Fairfield; Michael (Brenda) Patterson, Great Falls; and Patrick (Shannon) Patterson, Bozeman; daughters, Suzanne (Brad) Bauman, Fairfield; Lynn (Peter) Donnelly, Helena; and Mollie (Wesley) Secord, Great Falls; 23 grandchildren, Jared (Jana) Swartz, Kattie (Kirk) Meyer, Joslin Swartz (fiance, Nathan Hubbard), Kody Swartz (fiancee, Nicole Donisthorpe), Hannah Patterson, Chas Patterson, Matthew Patterson, Sarah Donnelly, Siobhan Donnelly, Thomas Donnelly, Mackenzie Donnelly, Justin Patterson, Casey Patterson, Kelsie Patterson, Tyson Patterson, Mandie (Matthew) Haag, Whitney Secord, Bethany Secord, Stephanie Secord, Jordan Patterson, McKayla (Nathan) Haack, Danika Patterson, and Dylan Patterson; two great-grandchildren, Mia and Charlie Swartz; one sister, Wannie Butterfield; one brother-in-law, Gordon Bodart; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Margaret; in-laws, Francis and Kathyrn Reidy; sister, Pat Bodart; brother-in-law, Cliff Butterfield; sister and brother-in-law, Zita and Charles Johnson.
Bob will be greatly missed by all those who loved him.
Memorial donations can be sent to Holy Spirit Catholic Parish Building Fund, 201 44th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405.
Condolences may be left at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.
Published in Green Bay Press-Gazette on December 13, 2011