ROBERT PATTERSON

PATTERSON, Robert Hobson Jr. A life well lived for more than 85 years ended peacefully on July 12, 2012. He was the son of Robert Hobson Patterson and Margaret Sargent Patterson of Buckingham County, Va., a place where he spent many days on the river and in the fields with his dogs. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of almost 50 years, Luise Wyatt Patterson. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Anne Marie Whittemore; his children, India P. Gregory and her husband, Claiborne D. Gregory Jr., Robert Hobson Patterson III and his wife, Stephanie B. Patterson, and Margaret P. Mansfield; and his stepson, Robert P. Whittemore and his wife, Allison J. Whittemore. He is also survived by his grandchildren whom he loved dearly and who were very special to him, Claiborne D. Gregory III, Robert Sargent Patterson Gregory, Katherine Lee Patterson, Robert H. Patterson IV, Margaret Douglas Patterson, Margaret Franklin Patterson and India Luise Patterson; and his stepgrandson, Reid Pierce Whittemore. Raised on Church Hill in Richmond, he graduated from John Marshall High School where he served as first captain of the John Marshall Cadet Corps. He was a proud and intensely loyal alumnus of the Virginia Military Institute. He served his country in the U.S. Navy. Following graduation from the University of Virginia Law School where he was on Law Review, he practiced law for more than 50 years with the firm now known as McGuireWoods LLP. He served as chairman of the firm and inspires its lawyers and staff to this day with his loyalty, integrity, friendship and high spirits. He was a zealous and formidable advocate who earned the admiration and respect not only of his clients but also his colleagues at the bar. He served the legal profession as president of the Richmond Bar Association and the Virginia State Bar. He served VMI as president of the Alumni Association and president of the Board of Visitors. VMI honored him with both the Distinguished Service Award and the New Market medal. He served as president of the Virginia Home for Boys and the Commonwealth Club and was a member of the State Board of Education. His life was one of devotion and loyalty to his family, friends, his law firm and VMI. He was a man of indomitable spirit who enjoyed good times and always had a warm greeting and genuine interest in each person he met. He touched and influenced the lives of many and will continue to do so through the memories of him that are a priceless legacy. The family is grateful for the care he received from Dr. George Vetrovec, the nurses and staff of the Gumenick Suites of MCV Hospitals and the wonderful caregivers of Mature Options, Ann, Lisa, Jean, Linda, Nancy, Barbara and Alma. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 14, 2012, at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 12291 River Road, Richmond, Va. 23238. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Robert H. Patterson Jr. 49C Scholarship Fund, c/o VMI Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 932, Lexington, Va. 24450.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.