Timothy Patterson

Timothy Alan Patterson

March 19, 1946-May 18, 2014

Author, wine writer and award-winning home winemaker Tim Patterson passed away May 18 this year in the wake of a brief but intense battle with brain cancer.

With a 1968 B.A. from Reed College, and a 1969 M.A. in history from Stanford, Tim was a student of American cultural history, particularly music. Before moving to the Bay Area in 1984, he taught and wrote about the transformation of Southern folk music into what we know today as "Country." He wrote extensively about politics before moving into the more profitable fields of programming and technical writing.

But the lure of things he loved eventually prevailed and Tim launched into a new career as a wine writer in 1995. He published articles in Wines & Vines, Wine Enthusiast, Diablo, Central Coast Adventures and The Vine. He authored Home Winemaking for Dummies, co-authored Concannon: the First 125 Years and contributed to Adventures in Wine and Opus Vino.

Tim was best known to friends and family for his sly sense of humor, outstanding cooking skills and an ability to throw one heck of a party. He revealed his personal complexity through the passion with which he took on all comers in debate and a delightful silliness that permeated his interactions with almost everyone and was captured in many a family picture.

Predeceased by his eldest brother Byron Patterson, he will be sorely missed by his survivors who include his wife Nancy Freeman, step-son Diego Rocamora, grandchildren Mateo, Ella and Luca Rocamora and brothers, James Patterson and Thomas Patterson.

Donations may be made in his memory to Berkeley's Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse at http://www.thefreight.org/support.