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Dr. Richard B. "Dick" Patterson
1930 - 2020
Dr. Richard B. "Dick" Patterson
1930 - 2020
Obituary
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BORN
1930
DIED
2020
Richard Patterson Obituary
March 11, 1930 - September 18, 2020
Richard (Dick) B. Patterson died on September 18, 2020 in Winston-Salem, N.C. Dick was born March 11, 1930 in Norfolk, Virginia and grew up in Bluefield, West Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Marguerite Patterson, sister Jean Page, and his first wife Nancy Freeman Patterson. Dick was educated at the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Davidson College and The Bowman Gray School of Medicine (now Wake Forest University School of Medicine). He received his pediatric training at the N.C. Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, the N.C. Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill, as well as a fellowship at The Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street in London, England. Following two years of general pediatrics practice in the Navy at the US Naval Hospital, Great Lakes, Illinois, Dick returned Winston-Salem in 1960 and started The Children's Cancer Program at The Bowman Gray School of Medicine which he monitored for the next 31 years. He was fortunate to be an active participant in the early national programs to find a cure for childhood cancer, particularly acute leukemia whose average survival rate in 1960 was 9-10 months and improved to a cure rate of 85% by 1991. His approach to childhood cancer was to "cure sometimes, relieve often and comfort always."
Dick was active locally in the American Cancer Society and in the early years of hospice. After 1991, he participated as a facilitator in the first year medical student program. He volunteered at Crisis Control Ministry and Meals on Wheels. A long term member of Trinity Presbyterian Church, he served as deacon, elder, and Sunday School teacher. He enjoyed long walks in the mountains with his wife and collie dogs, locating and photographing wild flowers. He supported Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway and The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. Dick is survived by his wife Jeanne Ross Patterson, daughter Linda Patterson Morris (Jeff), Atlanta, GA; sons Bruce Patterson (Kim Giese), Princeton, NJ and Mike Patterson, Missoula, MT as well as 4 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. There will be a socially distanced drive by visitation at 2:00 pm Wednesday at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1416 Bolton Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Children's Cancer Fund Office of Development, PO Box 571021 Winston-Salem, NC 27157.
Vogler and Sons Funeral Home
2849 Middlebrook Drive Clemmons, NC
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Kathy Robertson
September 14, 2023
I was talking to a physician about the beautiful picture of a flower that Dr. Patterson had given me. He said turn around and in the exam room was a picture of a flower that Dr. Patterson had given him.
What a blessing this extraordinary man was to this world.
Karen Supon
June 5, 2021
I just saw where Dr Patterson passed. I offer my deepest sympathies to his family. As a stage 4 cancer patient in 1982, he gave me hope, breathed life into me and never ever let me give up. I was just a kid and I owe my whole life to him. My live and gratitude will remain with me all of my life. I was blessed to have known him.
Nicky Smith
October 3, 2020
I will forever have wonderful memories of Dr Patterson as a youth and young adult. He was our Boy Scout Troop doctor and every year gave us our annual medical exams required to go to summer camp. He was active in our Church activities at Trinity Presbyterian and loved the outdoors. Dr Patterson had a serious side but always found time to laugh. Our family had great memories visiting Dr Patterson's family cabin in the mountains were we created lasting memories. My parents (Jim and Sue Smith) always kept me updated on the Patterson's family travels and adventures. Dr Patterson was a great man that gave back to more that will remember him forever. I sadly recall him telling us that in his medical practice in the late 1960s that every child patient would eventually die. He made such progress in medicine to change that for many children that today are alive and living because of his efforts. I will forever remember the smile on his face, as he was always a happy man, offering optimism even when others were not. He was loved and will be missed by many and made memories for many that will be everlasting. Offering my love to his family.
Joyce And Barry Swayne
September 25, 2020
We send you our prayers to you Jeanne and feel fortunate to have know Dick at Salemtowne Retirement Community. In His love, Joyce and Barry
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Richard L. Halverson
September 25, 2020
I am saddened to hear of Dr. Patterson's passing. I was informed of that this evening (Friday, 9/25) by a former member of the Board of The Ronald McDonald House. She and I served on the initial board in the early 80s and shared our memories of the good doctor's efforts to help us get the project underway! We both have fond remembrances of his caring and compassionate bearing! He was a wonderful person who surely touched thousands and thousands of people along his long highway of life!
William Foster
September 24, 2020
Dr. Patterson was an "American Hero" to us. Our daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia in 1980. Dr. Patterson saw us through good and bad times with this disease. Our Daughter has been in remission for 40 years. She continued to go see him for re-checks even after she was married. He told her he remembered what she had sent to him when she was graduating from High School. She sent him a graduation announcement and included a note which said, " If it had not been for you I would not be graduating. " We are so grateful for him and all he did with God's help and guidance, that we enjoy our Daughter her Husband and their two sons. There is now "another Bright Star in Heaven"
Joseph Jorizzo
September 24, 2020
I was so sorry to hear about the recent death of Dr. Richard Patterson. We send your family our deepest condolences. Please call if we can help in any way.
Kelley & Alex Waite
September 24, 2020
Sad to see this news today. Dick was a bright spot in Sunday school and church at Trinity. He was always listening, thoughtful, kind. Well done good and faithful servant. With loving memories, The Waite family
Mary "Carolyn" Brown
September 22, 2020
I went to work for Dr. Patterson in 1973 as his secretary in pediatric hematology/oncology and worked for him until I retired in 2012 (almost 40 years). I had the utmost respect for him as a person and as a doctor. And even though I go by Carolyn, he always called me Mary Carolyn. He touched the lives of so many children and their families. He will be missed greatly. My deepest symphathies go out to his wife and all of his family.
Jillian Foglesong Stabile
September 22, 2020
Dr. Patterson was an amazing man. I met him through Trinity Presbyterian when I was a medical student at Wake Forest. He was a great mentor and someone I could always talk to when I had questions. Even after I moved back to Washington for my residency training, he was someone I could call to bounce things off of. He will be missed.
Harrison Marks
September 21, 2020
I knew Dick from Trinity Presbyterian and admired his low-key, genuine humility. My mother was an excellent judge of character and thought him to be one of the kindest, gentlest men she knew. She marveled at his positive outlook on life when he had witnessed so much suffering of children. He was a good man.
Libby Paris
September 20, 2020
Dr. Patterson was an amazing man. He was my daughter’s Dr. in 1976 when she was diagnosed with Leukemia. It broke our heart when he retired. So sorry for your loss you’re in our prayers. My daughter has been in remission for 45 years.
Theresa Johnston-Crews
September 20, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful person. Dr. P, as he was often called, was a special mentor to me. I met him back in 1966 when he cared for my brother at WFBH. I was 8 years old. I knew then I wanted to be a nurse. Through the years I would meet with DrP to discuss my career goals and he often lent his wisdom, advise and encouragement. I spent a couple of summers volunteering in his pediatric clinic. I have been a WFBH nurse for 36 years I celebrate his life and what he meant to me. He was a magnificent person!
Kathy Atkins Robertson
September 20, 2020
Dr. Patterson came to Surry Community College for several years and spoke on What I Have Learned From Children That Have Leukemia and Their Parents. When he walked into the classroom you knew you where in the presence of greatness and humility.
After retirement he came to Mountain Valley Hospice -Kids Path
and spoke on communicating with the child that is near end of life.
Few heroes in this world but this gentle Soul will always be mine.
Greg Collins
September 19, 2020
A wonderful Physician that treated me in the early 1960's for agranulocytois secondary to a medication reaction. Thankful for his dedication and passion for treating children. Would also see him as an adult in the halls of Baptist Hospital and he always remembered me. He was a blessing for so many. Thank you. Greg Collins, RN, Paramedic
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2849 Middlebrook Drive, Clemmons, NC 27012
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