Hugh Alexander "Pat" Patterson Ph.D.

PATTERSON, HUGH ALEXANDER

Hugh "Pat" Patterson, PhD, loving husband, father, brother, distinguished anatomy professor and research scientist who taught generations of students at UCSF, UC-Berkeley, and UC Davis, died unexpectedly Wednesday October 22, 2003 in Davis, California. He was 61. He was born October 11, 1942 in St. Charles, Illinois, and raised in Slayton, Minn. He received his B.A. in Psychology from Suffolk University in Boston Massachusetts in 1968. He then went on to receive his Master's degree in Psychology from Northeastern University in Boston in 1970. He completed his PhD in Anatomy at Boston University in 1976. Patterson, who taught gross anatomy and embryology to medical students at UCSF and the Joint Medical Program at UC Berkeley was beloved by his current and past students who showered him with affection and numerous teaching awards. His colleagues respected his pioneering work in anatomy education. Patterson received four Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation awards for excellence in teaching and the Kaiser Career Achievement Award. Most recently, he earned the University of California Berkeley-UCSF Joint Medical Program Award for Humanistic Teaching. During his tenure at UC Davis he received five Outstanding Basic Science Instructor awards and the Educational Opportunity Program 25th Anniversary Service award. He also won awards for developing innovative educational software. As a charter member of the UCSF Academy of Medical Educators -the first entity of its kind in the country dedicated to enhancing medical school education - Patterson was influential in encouraging interdisciplinary approaches to undergraduate medical education, providing funding for innovative educational programs, supporting gifted teachers, sponsoring faculty development and mentoring teachers. Devoted to public education, Patterson was an instructor at UCSF's Mini-Medical School and for many years led tours of the UCSF anatomy lab for local high school students. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Patterson enjoyed a multi-faceted research career. Among other things, he investigated the anatomy and physiological responses of the auditory central nervous system, circulatory anatomy related to pelvic fractures and the biomechanics of the knee joint and mechanisms of knee injury. He and his colleagues developed computer controlled robotics that enabled the gathering of accurate experimental data about the behavior of the knee under normal and injury producing loads. This work gave Patterson and his colleagues a better understanding of normal knee function, the mechanisms of knee injury and design considerations for knee prosthesis. His hobbies included tennis, skiing, rollerblading, hiking and his love of nature. He was a private pilot. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Betty Patterson of Davis; children, Ross Alexander Patterson of Santa Cruz, and Karen & Paul Patterson of Davis; mother, Jewell Patterson; sisters, Patricia (George) Hay, Linda (Paul) Beierschmitt; brother, Donald Patterson of Minnesota; sister, Elizabeth Lockwood of Washington. Nieces and nephews include Anthony Honnellio, Zena Honnellio Klaassen, John Hay, James Hay, Karalee Beierschmitt, Matthew Lockwood, Chester Lockwood, Nicholas Lockwood, Toby Sokol, Eric Sokol, Dan Marland, Debbie Lee, Tim Marland, Ben Marland; 5 grandnieces and nephews. For remembrances, the Hugh "Pat" Patterson Medical Student Education Fund, Acct #423343, has been established at the Golden One Credit Union. Memorial services to celebrate his life will be held at UC Davis, Putah Creek Lodge, Sun., Oct. 26, 1:00pm.