Fred A. Patterson

Fred A. Patterson August 12, 1942 – October 19, 2012 Born in Cincinnati, OH 8/12/42 Graduated from New Richmon High School in 1961 Graduated in top 10 % of his class at the University of Cincinnati, School of Aerospace Engineering in 1966. Mr. Patterson began his NASA career as a co-op student at Wright Patterson AFB in 1963. He worked at mission control in Houston until 1976 when he relocated to the Stennis Space Center in MS. Mr. Patterson was part of the team that sent the first manned space flight to the moon. During his career at NASA Mr. Patterson received numerous awards and commendations and received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal in 2002. He retired from NASA after 40 years of service to his country. Fred first developed his love for adventure and canoeing the north woods as a nine year old attending a summer camp for boys in Northern MN. His adventurous spirit culminated in a canoe trip all the way to the Arctic Ocean in 1966. He and five of his friends departed Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada on a 45 day adventure to Bathurst Inlet on the Arctic Ocean. This was the first recreational canoe trip that had ever been attempted on this route. On two of his last trips, Fred returned with his brother to the Northwest Territories, the land he loved so much. Since his retirement in 2005 Fred has taught school, worked as a professional photographer, worked on the 2010 census, volunteered with Big Brothers, and spent the remainder of his time doing whatever he could to help others. He is survived by his wife, Tommie June Patterson, his brother Ralph Patterson, his daughter Tanya Todd, sons Chris and Shawn, stepsons Mark and Jonathan Graves, 12 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, best friend/brother-in law Benny Wheat, and numerous other relatives and friends who cherish him. Funeral services will be on Monday, October 22, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the O’Neal Road Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home. Friends may visit from 12:30 p.m. until service time.