Robert "Bob" Patterson

Robert Bob Charles Patterson, 79, of Great Falls, a commercial contractor and U.S. Army veteran, died on Monday, December 5, 2011 at his home of natural causes. Visitation will be at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Friday, December 9, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., the vigil service will follow at 7:00 p.m. His funeral liturgy will also be at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Bob was born September 2, 1932, to Charles and Margaret Beth Patterson in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He attended school at Cathedral Grade School, Central Catholic High School and St. Norbert's College until he enlisted in the military. In 1950, he served in Korea, working as a refrigeration specialist.Upon the completion of his tour of duty, Bob moved to Great Falls, where he met and married the love of his life, Rita Reidy. After a brief move to Seattle, they returned to Great Falls in 1961, where Bob went to work for A.T. Klemens & Son. In 1984, Bob and his sons, Steve and Mike, and daughter, Mollie, started Patterson Enterprises. Bob worked with them until his retirement in 2004.Bob was very active in the heating and air conditioning industry. He was a founding member and past president of Montana's SMACNA branch. He legislated to require certification of HVAC businesses, and he received the second license issued in Montana. He was on the negotiation committee of the NW Sheet Metal Union Pension Fund. He was also a member of the national HVAC organization, ASHRAE.Bob was active in many civic groups, including VFW, Knights of Columbus, Jaycees (past president), Sons of the Pioneers, American Legion, and Toastmasters (past president). He was a board member and active parishioner at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Bob was a member of Meadow Lark Country Club, and he was a proud stockholder in the Green Bay Packer franchise. In his younger years, he was active in Little League baseball and Boy Scouts.Bob's favorite hobby was playing poker with his many friends and relatives; he loved teaching his 23 grandkids how to play and taking their money. He was a diehard Packer fan and spent many weekends surrounded by family and cheering/yelling for his beloved Packers. His boisterous laugh was recognizable by all who knew him. He enjoyed spending time at his cabin in the Dearborn and taking people on tours on his pontoon boat at Holter Lake. He was an avid golfer, hunter, fisherman, skier and softball player. He was especially passionate about sharing all of Montana's greatness with his kids. His family cherished his stories and loved hearing about all of his adventures, from jumping fences at Packer games in his youth, to serving in the Korean War, to camping with his family in Montana. Holiday gatherings were always a blessing with Grandpa, first encouraging everyone to join in the singing and then ending with him giving us a hard time for not being able to carry a tune. Throughout all of the years and activities, his loving wife, Rita, stood by his side, caring for him always, especially during his final years.Bob was very proud of his large family. He is survived by his wife, Rita Patterson of Great Falls; sons and daughters-in-law Stephen and Kari Patterson of Fairfield, Michael and Brenda Patterson of Great Falls and Patrick and Shannon Patterson of Bozeman; daughters and sons-in-law Suzanne and Brad Bauman of Fairfield, Lynn and Peter Donnelly of Helena and Mollie and Wesley Secord of Great Falls; 23 grandchildren, Jared (Jana) Swartz, Kattie (Kirk) Meyer, Joslin Swartz (fianc Nathan Hubbard), Kody Swartz (fiance Nicole Donisthorpe), Hannah Patterson, Chas Patterson, Matthew Patterson, Sarah Donnelly, Siobhan Donnelly, Thomas Donnelly, Mackenzie Donnelly, Justin Patterson, Casey Patterson, Kelsie Patterson, Tyson Patterson, Mandie (Matthew) Haag, Whitney Secord, Bethany Secord, Stephanie Secord, Jordan Patterson, McKayla (Nathan) Haack, Danika Patterson and Dylan Patterson; two great grandchildren, Mia and Charlie Swartz; one sister, Wannie Butterfield; one brother-in-law, Gordon Bodart; and numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Margaret; in-laws, Francis and Kathyrn Reidy; sister, Pat Bodart; brother-in-law, Cliff Butterfield; and sister and brother-in-law, Zita and Charles Johnson.Bob will be greatly missed by all those who loved him. Memorial donations can be sent to Holy Spirit Catholic Parish Building Fund, 201 44th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405.