David W. Patch

David W. Patch

David W. Patch died suddenly on January 15th, 2021. He was 67 years old.

He recently retired from teaching and he and his wife of 44 years, Kate Kearney-Patch, relocated to New Fairfield in late 2019.

He graduated from Catholic University, D.C., with a BA in Theater Arts, and earned a full- scholarship Theater Arts Masters from Villanova University.

David had an extraordinary teaching career: he taught thousands of students, often from several generations of families. He was fortunate to teach for St. Mark's High School in Wilmington, Delaware. St. Mark's was enlightened enough to provide equal weight to the Arts in their education model and David stayed for 44 years in a rare position as a Theater Arts Teacher on the high school level.

He taught a full roster of performance studies: Acting, Directing, Set Design and Construction, Lighting, Film Appreciation and more. Every year he produced 3-4 fully staged productions and several smaller projects and concerts. Alumni who went on to study in Theatre Arts programs at the university level often commented that they learned more from his classes and productions than they did from their college classes.

His students became successful teachers, actors, directors, and also became confident and successful lawyers, doctors, dentists, symphony managers, computer engineers and business managers.

He never wanted to be anything but a teacher. His greatest pleasure was taking the students who felt awkward, felt alone, felt like misfits, or had some life trauma real or imagined, and involving them in projects that demanded full focus and skills and commitment to others. His students became confident at a time in life when many young people flounder and turn inward. They were made to think for themselves, create solutions, and take responsibility. They felt trusted. They had fun doing the work. They made life-long friendships.

He changed so many lives. He was the true definition of an 'Educator'.

David dearly loved his wife Kate. He loved his many rescue dogs, and the Red Sox and the Patriots (even living so long in 'foreign' team territory). He loved his late Parents Teresa and Richard Patch, and his very deep roots in Beverly Farms, Massachusetts and in New England. He loved his best friends and brothers and their families: Jeffrey Patch of Ipswich, MA, Raymond and his wife Betty Patch, of Yardley, PA, Jennifer, Ryan, and Emmie Huck also of Yardley, PA, and Tricia Patch of Stamford, Connecticut. He dearly loved his wife's brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Deborah Kearney, and their children Elizabeth S., Matt, Magnolia and Emmie Campbell of West Virginia, and Robert Kearney III, of Greensboro, NC. He had a long, close relationship his wife's family and extended family: with Maura Kearney, Elizabeth Kearney and her Daughters, and Denise Kearney (NY and Westchester), and with Meg Kearney Bailie and her family in New Fairfield, CT.

He loved Politics. And Books. And Coffee. Not always in that order.

He was a talented musician and sang bass for over a decade at St. Helena's Church in Wilmington, Delaware. He loved participating in concerts with this extended family many times a year.

He was a realist, but saw the world along clear Right and Wrong lines, and had strong opinions which belied the patience and kindness with which he treated everyone. His life reflects service and selflessness and followed his very steady, deeply held beliefs.

He was a good man.

Due to Covid restrictions, funeral arrangements will be private.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial scholarship fund in the performing arts has been set up in David's honor at Saint Mark's High School. Contributions may be sent to Saint Mark's High School, 2501 Pike Creek Rd. Wilmington, DE. 19808. Please note "In memory of Mr. Patch" in the memo.

The 4 year scholarship will be called: The David W. Patch Scholarship for the Performing Arts.