away by the war. An officer in the Army, he earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart serving in the South Pacific. According to a university news release, Patterson served in the battles of Guadalcanal and New Georgia. After a five-year hiatus from WSU because of the war, he returned to complete a degree in political science in 1946.
Patterson worked in Seattle before going back to the Palouse in 1952 to start his first career as WSU's chief contact for alumni. He also had a turn as the school's part-time varsity golf coach.
As director of alumni relations, Patterson really was the first legitimate fund-raiser at WSU, said Terrell. Patterson established the WSU Scholarship and Development Fund, which raised more than $12 million in gifts while he was at the university.
Then politics called. Starting in 1972, Patterson represented the 9th District in the House of Representatives for four two-year terms, at one point serving as minority whip. He then served 12 years in the Senate, retiring in 1992.
For six years, his jobs at WSU and in the Legislature overlapped. While in office, he was a voice for higher education and agriculture.
"As a legislator, he worked hard and effectively for education," said Terrell.
"He did his job extremely well," said former Sen. Jeanette Hayner of Walla Walla. "He listened to everybody. You could talk to him anytime."
In his final term, Patterson served as chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. Although he was from rural Eastern Washington, he didn't ignore West Side needs, West said.
"He was not anti-ferry or anti-I-5 (Interstate 5)," West said. "He knew transportation had to be funded, but he wasn't a spendthrift."
"He was a great teacher," said Larry Sheahan, the Spokane Republican who holds Patterson's Senate seat now.
Sheahan served as a legislative page for Patterson in 1976. A decade later, the young law school grad called Patterson, who offered him a job as his legislative assistant.
The two often would end the day in Patterson's office, discussing what was going on in the Legislature and why. Among the lessons: that problem-solvers are more effective than bomb-throwers and credit-grabbers, that politicians must work with people in the opposing party.
"He also taught me that you have to be careful what you say to people," said Sheahan, "because you can never take it back."
Patterson is survived by his wife, Maxine, and seven children, all but one of whom are WSU graduates. They are Alan of Wenatchee, Michael of Lake Wenatchee, Linda of Pullman, David of Tacoma, Sarah Hamilton of Pullman, Margaret Dunn of Oregon and Jim of Seattle. Patterson also is survived by seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Vigil service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pullman. Memorial gifts may be made in care of the WSU Foundation, P.O. Box 641925, Pullman 99164-1925.
•Staff writers Jim Camden and Rich Roesler also contributed to this report.
