Dr. Patrick Ford Sullivan

Dr. Patrick Ford Sullivan died unexpectedly February 12th, 2025, in Sun City Center, Florida. The world is diminished by his absence. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Mary Katherine "Kitty" Fenstermaker, children Katherine Glenna Barrow (Adam), John Nelson Russell-Sullivan, Andrew Augustus Russell-Sullivan, grandchildren Margaret Angeline Barrow and Thomas James Barrow, sister Margaret "Peggy" Ann Sullivan Diebold (Paul), niece Emma Diebold Robinson (Matthew) and grandniece Olive Irene Robinson.
Patrick was born on November 13th, 1952, in Indianapolis, to Angeline Phelps Sullivan Meyers and Joseph Patrick Sullivan. Patrick's stepfather was Henry Jacob Meyers. Growing up in Carmel, Indiana, with his adored sister Peggy, he was immersed in the 60's culture, especially the music: the Grateful Dead, the Stones, Beatles and Classical and Jazz.
For his first stint in college, he majored in history and philosophy, graduating from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ( IUPUI). He earned his Masters in History at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and his Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Kentucky. Part of his career was spent as a professor in Philosophy, Logic, and Bioethics. He was the founding Executive Director of the Computer Ethics Institute at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. He authored the Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics, which the institute published and many companies follow today.
Patrick worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers establishing their global Privacy Practice, one of the first such consultancies in the world (a job that did not exist when he got his degrees), helping companies develop strategies to protect sensitive personal, clinical and corporate information. After leaving PwC, he continued to advise Fortune 500 companies, U.S. and international governments and small businesses in implementation of their security and privacy practices. As a Principal Consultant for Information Security and Privacy Governance with JBW Group International and Griffin Family Companies, he consulted and audited security systems and privacy practices for companies all over the world until his death. He was among the thought leaders in privacy and security governance and was on a first name basis with notable individuals in these disciplines. He was designated Distinguished Fellow of the Ponemon Institute, a security and privacy research think tank.
A proud Irvingtonian, Patrick invested his time in supporting his community. He served on the Irvington Development Organization, Historic Irvington Community Council, and was a regular at many of Irvington's businesses over the twenty-plus years as a neighbor. At his PAR-10 home, he and Kitty hosted musicians from around the country, where friends and family gathered over food, libations, and joyful merriment.
Patrick first married Dr. Laura Russell, and they had three children, Katherine Glenna, John Nelson and Andrew Augustus. He was a hands-on father, fiercely protective, encouraging each of them gently toward their dreams.
In 1997, he reconnected with his classmate from high school, Kitty. Both then single, Kitty had told him that what she was looking for in a man was someone who could simply give her a pleasant good morning and a pleasant good evening every day. Saying he appreciated that low bar, Patrick kept thinking about her requirements, and just said to himself one day, "I think I can do that, in fact, I Want to do that...." On May 22nd, 1999, he married Kitty, the love of his life. The rest is history.
He was quiet, observant and an excellent listener. But when he spoke, he was eloquent and perceptive. He had a wicked, dry wit; he loved words and knew how to use them. You would be having a conversation together, and all of a sudden, you would first find yourself surprised by his insight and then laughing at some quick and often obtuse quip that he had made.
He had a lion's heart in caring for his children and loved ones-always present and willing to engage. Music was always a joy for him, beginning with the saxophone in the marching band in high school. He took up guitar in his 60's, even once building his own instrument, a Fender Telecaster-because he could. He discovered gourmet cooking and used it as his love language for all lucky enough to partake. When he was around his grandchildren, Maggie and Tom, he became silly and fully alive, playing guitar for them and making them laugh.
He loved his family fiercely, was greatly loved and will be missed by all of his far-flung friends and family, in Indiana, Sun City Center, Florida and all over the world.
There will be a visitation on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Oakley Hammond Funeral Home in Indianapolis, Indiana from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. A celebration of Patrick's life will take place in the summer. Friends, colleagues and neighbors are encouraged to write down their favorite memories, favorite songs, and stories of Patrick to share with family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the MPN Research Foundation ( a live link for donation may be found in the menu column under Patrick's photo).