William Roberts “Bob” Patterson, 67, a former Baker City resident, died Feb. 12, 2008, at the Veterans Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash., from complications of cancer.
His memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Enterprise.
Bob was born on Feb. 16, 1940, at Baker City to Franklin W. “Bill” and Elizabeth Patterson. The Patterson family spent summers at their cabin at Wallowa Lake, which had been purchased in 1918 by grandfather, Dr. Carl G. Patterson of Baker City.
Bob attended Baker public schools and attended Eastern Oregon University at La Grande. He married Ann Jennings of Joseph in 1961. They had two children, Kristan and Steven. He and Ann were divorced in 1978.
He joined the U.S. Air Force and after completing flight school, he flew C-121 radar tracking aircraft over Vietnam. Ultimately, he became proficient in all aircraft (fixed wing and helicopter) during his 14-year Air Force career.
Bob flew for several airlines, finally as captain of both the Boeing 757 and Airbus 320 for America West Airlines. The last seven years he served as an instructor pilot on the Airbus training simulator.
Bob and his wife of 13 years, Marvel, both retired in 2007 to their new home on Wallowa Lake. They became active in the community this past summer volunteering during Chief Joseph Days, caring for flower boxes on Main Street, and as members of the “Westsiders” of Wallowa Lake.
Bob’s cancer was diagnosed in late summer.
Survivors include his wife, Marvel, and her children, Chenelle and Connon; his son, Steve, and his wife, Chris, of Oregon City; daughter, Kris Fowler-Patterson; granddaughters, Brittany and Brooke; his brother, John, of Walla Walla; sister, Charlotte “Char” Williams of Joseph; and seven nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Society, the Wallowa County Memorial Hospital, or a charity of one’s choice.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, February 20, 2008
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor