Robert Patterson

Robert E. Patterson has passed on to join his parents and five siblings in the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was born May 27, 1925, in Linnsburg, Indiana, and was the youngest of six children born to Ernest and Ola Linn Patterson. He graduated Waveland High School where he played basketball and baseball.

Because he was an employee on the 1200 acre farm his father managed he was offered a deferment which gave exemption to military service. He refused to accept the deferment and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944. He served on LST 1078 in the Asia-Pacific Theater for two years. Two days after discharge he met Beulah Sperry who became his wife in 1949. They were blessed with three sons, Greg (Cindy), Kent (Robin) and Brad (Zahra). In 1952 he graduated Indiana State Teachers College where he was a member of the swim team and Lambda Chi Fraternity. He was a classroom teacher in Rensselaer, Mooresville, Decatur Central, and Bedford. He coached basketball and football in the middle school at Mooresville. In 2006 he was inducted into the Mooresville Athletics Hall of Fame. He planned and organized a field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago for eighth grade students. The field trip was done for twelve years. In 1965 he became the Assistant Superintendent at Mooresville Consolidated Schools and served in the position for twenty years. He cherished the relationship that grew with Superintendent William Curry. Robert was instrumental in getting the Adult Education Curriculum introduced and was part of the school program for several years. He was very involved with the Mooresville community: a charter member of Kiwanis Club; Mooresville Community Foundation; long-time blood donor; Mooresville Redevelopment Commision; First United Methodist Church; Church at Mt. Gilead; American Legion; VFW; LST Assn. He was a volunteer host at the USO hospitality suite at the Indianapolis Airport. In 2013 he joined other WWII veterans on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. He was born with a creative gene which aided him to create a coverlet and pictorial book which depicted the visit of President Ronald Reagan to Mooresville in 1985. In 2012 his autobiography titled BOB’S STORY was published. He earned a private pilot’s license and flew many times to Florida to visit family. He owned a video business for several years. IU basketball, Colts, auto racing, western movies were favorite interests.

He is survived by wife, three sons, eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, one cousin, and several nieces and nephews. He set an example of a fully lived life. He loved the Lord, his family, and his country. He will be missed. In his honor donations may be made to Kiwanis Club, PO Box 866, Mooresville, IN 46158 or League of Miracles, 211 E. High St., Mooresville, IN 46158.

Family and friends are invited to come pay their respects from 11 am - 2 pm, Thursday, March 1, 2018 at Jones Crossing Banquet Center, 4161 East Allison Rd. Mooresville, IN 46158. Pastor Terry Crist will officiate the memorial service at 2 pm, Thursday, March 1, 2018 at the banquet center. There will be a reception to immediately follow from 3 pm - 5 pm also at the banquet center. Cremation and memorial arrangements entrusted to Jones Family Mortuary, Mooresville.

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