Robert Patterson's Obituary
Robert Glasgow Patterson, Sr., Rhodes College Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, passed away Friday evening, March 18, 2011. He was 83. Bob was born on May 18, 1927 in Kobe, Japan to Frances Glasgow and Craig Houston Patterson. He spent much of his early life in China where his parents and grandparents were missionaries for many years. This experience created a lifelong interest in world cultures and religions manifested in his career, including teaching sabbaticals in the Far East, and his love of travel. He also worked to document his family’s history, including editing and publishing his father’s memoirs, My China that Was. Bob’s career at Rhodes College spanned 40 years. While teaching was his passion, he also served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty from 1971-77. One of two annual awards given to the most outstanding students in the college’s Life: Then and Now program is named in his honor. He graduated from the McCallie School, held the B.A. degree from Washington and Lee University; B.D., Union Theological Seminary (Virginia); and Ph.D., Yale University. Prior to joining Rhodes, Bob taught at the McCallie School and held summer pastorates in Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. Bob is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jane McAtee Patterson; children Robert Patterson, Jr. (Patricia Gray), Jenny Patterson (Steve Kroll), Mary Moore Patterson, and Craig Patterson (Julie); sister Anne Patterson Hammes; grandchildren Erica and Drew Patterson, Emma Huang, and Harry and Annie Kroll. He was pre-deceased by his parents, brother Houston Patterson, sister-in-law Shirley Patterson, and brother-in-law, Al Hammes. A memorial service will be held Monday, March 28, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at Evergreen Presbyterian Church. The family requests memorials be sent to Evergreen Presbyterian Church, Rhodes College, or the China Connection, www.chinaconnection.org.
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