Robert E. Patterson, Sr.

Robert E. Patterson, Sr. 82, Marietta, passed away at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 3, 2009, at Marietta Memorial Hospital.

He was born on December 2, 1926, in Marietta, a son of Ross and Lavina Miller Patterson.  Bob attended the original Sandhill School and attended the reunions each year.  He graduated from Marietta High School and went to the Army in 1945 during WWII.  After working at B. F. Goodrich Tire Shop, he attended Harding University and later went on to  Marietta College where he graduated in 1961. He then moved to New Carlisle, OH, where he began teaching. He attended Wittenberg University and obtained his Masters of Education degree in 1966.  Moving back to Marietta in 1967, he taught at Marietta Junior High School retiring after 25 years.  He chaperoned and later directed many Ohio History trips for seventh grade students.  After retirement he did substitute teaching in the area. 

He was a member of the Church of Christ and had been an active member of Sixth and Washington Streets Church of Christ, teaching bible classes and serving as an elder.  Most recently he attended the Marietta/Reno Church of Christ and Harmar Hill Church of Christ when his health permitted. During his active years, he preached for area Churches of Christ, serving several years at the Newport Church of Christ.  He preached many weddings and funerals and influenced many lives over the years.  He liked to be involved in politics, was a member of the Republican Party Central Committee.  He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed trips to the creek where he hunted, fished and trapped.  He was a life member of the American Legion, Ohio Retired Teachers Association, was active in the Ohio Valley Christian Youth Camp in the 70’s and 80’s, and was active in the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

On November 9, 1947, he married Mary Hall who preceded him in death on October 15, 2008.  He is survived by his children:  Robert Patterson, Jr., Ted (Susie) Patterson and Betty (Steve) O’Linn all of Marietta, grandchildren Tammy (Rick) Thomas, Sandra Seevers, Melinda (Joe) Crone, Jeremy (Kathy) Patterson and Amy O’Linn, 7 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild.  He is also survived by his sisters, Dorothy Nix of Atlanta, GA, and Mildred (George) Cady of Reno.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary, brother Donald Patterson, Sr., infant sister Verna and daughter-in-law Eva Patterson.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home with Roger Rush officiating.  Burial will be in Valley Cemetery with full military honors.  Friends may call at the funeral home after 6:00 pm on Monday with family present to greet friends on Monday evening from 6 until 8 and on Tuesday from 2 until 4 and 6 until 8.