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1936 - 2010
 Richard L. "Larry" Patterson (1936-2010)
Richard L. "Larry" Patterson, 73, of Flatwoods, Ky., passed away Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at his residence with his family at his side.
He was born Nov. 22, 1936, in Galion, Ohio, to the late Richard W. and Belva Sipes Patterson.
He was a faithful member of the choir at First Presbyterian Church of Ashland, Ky., and the Brass Band of the Tri-State. He was a scientist of endless curiosity and taught many years at Russell High School, where he was affectionately known as Doc Patterson. Earlier, he was a member of the engineering faculty at the General Motors Institute in Flint, Mich., and served as a research associate at the University of Virginia. He spent many hours enjoying the outdoors, working in his garden and refinishing furniture while listening to NPR.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Johnson Patterson; his sons, Michael L. Patterson (Christina) of Latonia, Ky., and Matthew A. Patterson (Diana) of White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.; his sister, Janet Patterson Fleischauer (John) of Dayton, Ohio; grandchildren Cole and Mazi; sister-in-law Martha (Scott) Adams; brother-in-law Harry L. Johnson; and many nephews, nieces and cousins. He loved and was loved by his family.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 3, 2010, at Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel in Ashland.
Friends may call after noon Saturday at the chapel.
Condolences may be sent to www.steenfuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the choir of First Presbyterian Church or the Brass Band of the Tri-State.
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There are currently 14 condolences.
Travis Roehm
Tuesday April 6, 2010 at
3:41 PM
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Mary,
I'm so sorry to hear about Doc. I called and talked to mom earlier and she let me know. I still look back on my classes with him with a lot of fondness. His were the only classes at Russell that I ever struggled with while actually trying. I still talk to people about his tests and attitude about learning as an example of what a teacher should be. Please know that he had a positive touch on many young minds (mine included) and will be missed. My prayers are with you and your sons.
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Mike and Deb Layne
Monday April 5, 2010 at
6:48 PM
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Please know that your family is in our sincere thoughts and prayers. We are here for you for whatever you would need. We pray you feel the comfort that Larry is in our loving Lords arms. He's left you with many good memories. Treasure them and know he's at peace.
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Andrew Dansby
Monday April 5, 2010 at
10:48 AM
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My sincerest condolences. During a period when my mind should've been soaking up all kinds of wonderful information, it instead managed to put up a formidable force field against science. Many science-minded folks tried to get past it to no avail. Doc's was the one science class I still remember fondly. It speaks to his approach and his manner; he was engaged and engaging, mentor-ly as much as teacher-ly. And the dry wit and delivery: nobody was better at setting up an interaction between sodium and water.
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BJ Brubaker
Saturday April 3, 2010 at
7:18 PM
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Doc was one of my teachers when I transferred to Russell from Ironton. He also is the father in law of two of my cousins. I have tremendous respect for the entire family. My prayers are with you. I am deeply sorry for your loss. Mike, Christina, Matt, Diana, Cole, and Mazi are incredible human beings as was Doc!!
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Deanna Bentley
Saturday April 3, 2010 at
8:09 AM
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I am sorry for your loss. My son and I played in the Brass Band of The Tri State and both of us were cornet players. We sat beside Mr. Patterson. He was a very good musician and a nice man. I remember him telling me once that his favorite Christmas carol was "Lo How A Rose Ere Blooming". Please accept my sympathy and prayers for your family.
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Debbie Roehm
Friday April 2, 2010 at
11:56 PM
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I am so sorry to hear of Doc's passing. He touched so many lives in a positive way while teaching at Russell. Mary, we are keeping you and your family in our prayers.
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Mark Smith
Friday April 2, 2010 at
10:34 PM
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It has been a true pleasure to practice and perform with Larry in the Brass Band of the Tri-State over the past years. He was an excellent musician and a true gentleman as well. He is greatly missed by his fellow musicians and friends.
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Vickie & John
Friday April 2, 2010 at
5:15 PM
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Our many thoughts are with all the family & especially Mary. Larry lives on in memory, music, and the many wonderful relationships he enjoyed. He knows now what is the eternal hope of us all. It is striking that he will enjoy this Easter and eternity with our Savior----in person! Praise God!
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Will Judd
Friday April 2, 2010 at
2:02 PM
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Doc, you will be missed. Already this week, I have been in touch with and seen other members of the RHS class of '94, and years surrounding, and shared smiles and tears and fond memories of our days in your Physics/Chemistry classes, and of your old van, and of going on the only field trip in your professorial tenure. You not only taught science, but you taught how to think about science. You didn't just teach how to answer a problem, but how to think about the process of getting to that problem's solution. All of these are crucial skills to being a good engineer (rocket scientist!) - something that I have become, thanks to your instruction and enlightenment. The '50' that I scored on one of your "Doc tests" remains one of my proudest accomplishments and is framed in my office.
My condolences to the Patterson family.
-Will Judd
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Debbie Daugherty
Friday April 2, 2010 at
1:11 PM
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My thoughts and prayers are with you all. We will surely miss Larry at the Cancer Center. He was a wonderful person.
Debbie Daugherty, Receptionist ABCC
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Karen and John Dansby
Friday April 2, 2010 at
10:48 AM
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Our heartfelt condolences to Mary and her family during this most difficult time. Much love and many blessings.
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John and Linda Walker
Friday April 2, 2010 at
9:12 AM
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We are so very sorry to hear of Larry's passing. He was such a good neighbor, and friend. Just last week Johnny and I were remembering, all the times he talked and worked with Johnny. You both were so good to Dad and Mom, and wonderful neighbors to our family. Our condolences to all the family and friends. The Walker Family.
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Kelley Fulks
Thursday April 1, 2010 at
4:07 PM
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I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't help but be curious as to his geniology, as my mom's maiden name is Patterson and they came from VA. My oldest known Patterson was my great-grandfather, Stephen Harvey Patterson, who was born some time in the 1890's. He lived in Barboursville, and that's where I'm from. Again, I'm so sorry about Larry's death - I am a teacher, too, and was in band for 7 years and played the trumpet and french horn! Seems we had a lot in common...
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Will Judd
Thursday April 1, 2010 at
10:51 AM
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Doc, you will be missed. Already this week, I have been in touch with and seen other members of the RHS class of '94, and years surrounding, and shared smiles and tears and fond memories of our days in your Physics/Chemistry classes, and of your old van, and of going on the only field trip in your professorial tenure. You not only taught science, but you taught how to think about science. You didn't just teach how to answer a problem, but how to think about the process of getting to that problem's solution. All of these are crucial skills to being a good engineer (rocket scientist!) - something that I have become, thanks to your instruction and enlightenment. The '50' that I scored on one of your "Doc tests" remains one of my proudest accomplishments and is framed in my office.
My condolences to the Patterson family.
-Will Judd
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