Patrick Forster

After suffering a brain hemorrhage, Patrick Forster passed away peacefully with his family by his side on July 26, 2025, at Providence Hospital in Everett, Washington.

Pat was born in Spokane, Washington to Barney and Marie (Stroomer) Forster, with he and his twin brother Mike known by family as "The Twinkies". Pat attended St. Ann's Catholic school, Gonzaga Preparatory School, and Lewis and Clark High School before getting a degree in electronics from Spokane Community College. He joined the US Air Force and served in Vietnam and Okinawa during the Vietnam War as a radio/communications technician repairing C-130s and other aircraft.

In 1971, while stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base, he met his future wife Barbara after she caught his eye at a local eatery in Great Falls, MT. They quickly fell in love and were married in Barb's hometown of Valier, MT in 1972.

Pat and Barb raised their daughter and son in Spokane. Pat was dedicated to his family, and their lives were filled with camping, boating, and fishing trips to local lakes and rivers. Pat was a hard and dedicated worker, taking on many roles for EZ Loader Boat Trailers. He worked there for 34 years. After retirement in 2007, he and Barb moved to their current home in Lake Stevens, WA to be closer to children and grandchildren.

Pat had many talents and hobbies and enjoyed every opportunity to spend time outdoors. He was a gifted bird photographer and was well-known to local birders, posting many of his photos to Western Washington Birders on Facebook. Pat was also a skilled astrophotographer, and has posted many stunning shots of nebulas, galaxies, stars, and planets. One of his moon photos was published in Astronomy magazine. Pat built much of the furniture in every home he and his family shared, and he completely remodeled their current home using the amazing carpentry skills he inherited from his father. Pat also served as the family's weatherman and was always on top of the 7-day forecast. He even kept his own daily weather records and could tell you how hot it was on this day in years past. Pat led an active life and enjoyed golfing with his buddies, fishing with his son and granddaughters on Lake Sixteen, and taking daily 2-3 mile walks with his wife in Lake Stevens.

Pat was said to have 9 lives and was a 3-time cancer survivor having beaten kidney cancer, prostate cancer, and most recently in 2020, pancreatic cancer. Due to his strong will to live, he overcame many close calls and was cancer free. Pat loved visiting family more than anything, and before his passing he and Barb had just returned from a trip visiting relatives and birding in Montana and Spokane.

Pat was an honest, loving, kind, and generous son, husband, brother, father, and grandfather. His passing was a shock to all, and he will be dearly missed. We will always remember Pat when we look up at the night sky or observe the songbirds, owls, and raptors that he loved so much.

Pat is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara, their two children, Melanie (Mauricio), Christopher (Tanya), and four grandchildren: Ramon, Consuelo, Elena, and Celia (Sheng). He is also survived by his twin brother, Mike, and sisters Geraldine, Elaine, Ann, and Mary. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Richard.

A funeral mass and reception to honor Pat's life will be held at St. Michael's Catholic Church on August 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (1512 Pine Ave., Snohomish WA, 98290). A private family interment will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Washington Ornithological Society "Patrick Sullivan Young Birders Fund" at wos.org.