Robert D. Patterson

Robert (Bob) D. Patterson, 95, from Houghton, Michigan, passed away on February 9, 2021 at the Omega House after a short illness.

He was born on October 6, 1925 in Flint, Michigan to David and Lemoine (Gordon) Patterson and graduated from Flint Northern High School.

Robert enlisted in the Army after high school and was a WWII veteran, seeing action in Europe and Asia. He was very proud of his service to our country, and in 2013 he enjoyed going on the UP HONORS FLIGHT with his son, Mike.

Bob received a Bachelor and Masters’ degree from the University of Michigan to which he was a lifelong supporter.

On August 12, 1950, Robert married the Love of his life Bethany (Beth) Richmond in Flint, Michigan.  They just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this last August.   

In 1961, the family moved to Houghton from Flint, where Bob was a reference librarian. Taking a position at Michigan Tech, he was Head of Public Services at the Library, and served twice as Interim Director, retiring in 1989.  

Bob served on several community and professional boards.  He was passionate about the AWANA Clubs, where he enjoyed working with the children for almost 40 years.  He also served for many years on the Wesley House board.  Studying and learning about history, in particular local copper country history was of great interest to him.  He especially enjoyed the annual Central Mine Reunion and Keweenaw Kernewek Society tasty Cornish treats afterwards. 

He was a member of and very active at Evangel Community Church.

For 40 years, he and Beth enjoyed time spent at their Keweenaw County camp; hiking, berry picking, gardening, reading, and sharing all of this with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  

Surviving is his wife, Beth, daughter Debby (John) Glupker, son Mike (Karen) Patterson, 5 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Larry (Jan) Richmond and their children.

Our family would like to express our deepest appreciation to UPHS – Marquette and the Omega House for their outstanding care and consideration towards Bob and his family.

A memorial service will be held in the spring.  O’Neill-Dennis funeral home is assisting the family.  Condolences can be expressed online at https://www.oneilldennisfh.com/.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Omega House or the AWANA children’s program at Evangel Community Church.

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