Herman Drew Patterson

Herman Drew Patterson was born in Fayette, Alabama on 03-21-1920. His father, James Andrew, was a railroad conducter and his mother, Dora, was a home maker. He was the youngest of six children.

His father died when he was fairly young, and after only graduating elementary school, he worked to help support his mother and brother. At 17 he entered the Civilian Conservation Core, where he was introduced to his future career.

He entered the U.S. Navy on 04-29-1941, serving in World War II in the Pacific and later in the Korean War. He initially left the USN on 01-24-1947, but reenlisted on 01-22-1948 where he served until he retired on 05-14-1964. In WWII he served on several naval vessels, and then at bases on Guam and Saipan. During his second tour of duty he achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer, and was an instructor at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

He served on the following ships: USS Alcor AR-10, USS LST-2263, USS Orion AS-18, USS Wren DD-568,
and USS English DD-696.

He received the Navy Good Conduct Medal (5), American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.

Herman was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of St. John's Masonic Lodge of Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

After retirement from the US Navy, he worked at Charlotte Memorial Hospital from 1964 to 1977 as Food Production Manager. While there he belonged to the Food Service Executive Association, and served as President; he belonged to Hospital Member Food Administrators Assoc. , and the International Food Service Association. During that time he both taught and took workshops at local universities.

Herman and his wife, Ivalene, were married on May 14, 1948 in Mississippi.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ivalene, and his four children, Doris Rice and (Jonathan), Janice Robinson and (Jim), Herman E. Patterson and (Cathy Sue) and Katherine Espinosa.

He is also survived by his 8 grand children: Elizabeth (Rice) Belk Johnson, Adam Robinson, Jessica Espinosa, Kevin Rice, Aaron Robinson, Thomas Patterson, Ace Espinosa and Nathan Rice. He also has seven great grandchildren, Christa Belk, Ashleigh Belk, Brandon Belk, Tabatha Rice, Judah Robinson, Abraham Robinson and Ivalene Robinson.

Extended Family:
Jean Nance and Jess Espinosa