Indiana Funeral Care

The Leader In Affordable Funeral And Cremation Services In Indiana.

Call Anytime
(317) 636-6464(317) 636-6464
Request a Brochure »
Make Arrangements Online »

Robert Patterson

Share

Let the family know you care by sharing this tribute.

Send Flowers »

Grief Support »

Date Of Birth: August 16, 1927
Date Of Death: July 12, 2008

Robert W. Patterson, 80, of Indianapolis, passed away Saturday, July 12, 2008. He was born in Ann Arbor, MI on August 16, 1927, the son of the late Donald S. and Joyce (Hodges) Patterson. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Robert graduated from Alma College in 1951 and studied law at the University of Michigan Law School. He was in several sales positions before working as a sales manager at Rytex for 10 years then retiring in 1987. He was a member of Crow’s Nest Skeet Club, American Legion Post #34, the Optimist Club, Indiana Gun Club, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.Robert is survived by his wife of 60 years, Margaret “Peggy” (Pyne) Patterson; a daughter, Margaret “Meg” (Thomas) Whitelock; a son, Robert Patterson; and two grandsons, Andrew Whitelock, and James (Melinda “Mindy”) Whitelock.Memorial Service will be Friday, July 25 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 10 W. 61st St, Indianapolis, IN, with a reception following the service in the Lilly Room. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Heart Association, or charity of choice.

Reader Interactions

Condolences

  1. I worked with Bob at Sprint in the 1980’s. He was a wonderful person & had a great sense of humor! He was very witty and had a smile on his face all the time. I don’t think I have laughed at work that hard since then. I wanted to let you know that my prayers are with you all at this sad time.

  2. What a rare gift God has given to me to have been blessed with a friend and brother-in-law like Uncle Bob(UB). We have shared many happy and sad times together. His sence of humor always lifted the spirits of those in his presence. He will be sorely missed but his influence, love and laughter among our families and friends will be real to us for years to come.
    With Love Always,
    AG

  3. I was extremely blessed to have Uncle Bob, affectionately known as “UB”, as my god-father and friend. He taught and guided me wisely on the journey of life. He was just about the funniest man I have ever known; able to share a good laugh as well as adding levity to the serious moments. I shall cherish the many fond memories I have of “UB”. He was much loved, admired and a treasured member of the family. I know that heaven is a little louder today with laughter. God Bless you “UB” you will be sorely missed but never forgotten. My thoughts are with Aunt Peggy, cousin Meg and the boys and cousin Rob; his family for whom nothing was more important. Love “Moose”

  4. Uncle Bob will be missed by so many people. His humor made every body laugh. He used to call me “Giggles”. My heart goes out to my Aunt Peggy, and cousins Meg & and Rob during this time of loss. Email photos if you can to Peg43Boston@yahoo.com.
    Love,
    Peggy,Tara,and Alex Lundie

  5. I am very saddened to hear of Bob’s passing and am glad he was at home… Time seems to pass by much too quickly…
    My sincere condolences and best wishes for you all…

  6. n++CHRISTIANS UNITED CHURCH
    at Soldiers’ Memorial Chapel
    5626 Lawton Loop East
    Indianapolis, IN 46216
    Pastor’s Telephone: 317-849-4047
    E-mail: kmac41@comcast.net

    Dear Family,
    The congregation of Soldiers’ Memorial Chapel wants you to know that we
    prayed for you today and for the soul of your loved one.
    It is our desire to give spiritual support and appreciation for all who have served
    our country.
    Now he is with the Lord victorious.

    Forever Faithful,
    James A. McKinney
    Chaplain/Pastor

  7. I so enjoyed spending time at the Patterson home; they invested in you when you touched their lives. Bob will be dearly missed, I am better for having known him and his family.

  8. During my youth our family spent summers at Dunharrow, our Pyne Grandparents’ lovely retirement home in Cazenovia, NY. And it was here that I first met Bob at the age of 14. He made me feel so grown-up then. How sad I feel today to know that Bob has passed on.

    Peggy was the first of the Pyne grandchildren to marry; and as a matter of fact, she and Bob were married in Michigan by the Reverend Ivol Curtis, whose first parish had been in Cazenovia, NY, where he had baptized my sister Ellen. Many years later my Dave and I were married in Seattle, WA, by this same Episcopal Priest (at that time he was the Episcopal Bishop of Western Washington).

    Please Peggy, Meg and family, and Rob know that all the David Kennedys have each one of you in our thoughts.

    Our warmest love,

    Sally and Dave, Jane, Brian and family, Doug and Stephanie

  9. Bob joined my family when he married my beautiful grown-up cousin “lucky Peggy” when I was a little girl of seven. Bob and Peggy always treated the “littlest Pyne female cousin” so warmly, and I have many happy memories of the times we spent together. Unfortunately and sadly, our times together became very infrequent as we all got older.

    My love and prayers go to Peggy, Meg, Robbie and the grandsons at this time.

    With my deepest sympathy to you all,

    Ellen

  10. Dick certainly has fond memories of his time with Bob in Cazenovia.

    Later we surely enjoyed the visits from Peggy and Bob at both Camp Lejeune and later in Pensacola. They were fun times with many happy moments. Bob will be sorely missed.

    Peggy, Meg, and Rob please accept our sincere sympathy and condolences.

    With love,
    Alice and Dick

  11. I will always treasure the wonderful, happy family reunions we have shared through the years and being with the “cousins”. Uncle Bob was always my “favorite Uncle” and he knew it. My heart felt sympathies go to Aunt Peggy, Meg and her family and of course Rob. Just know that in time you will see that all that was good about Uncle Bob is forever with you in your hearts. May his memory live on forever through all of us. AP,it makes me smile to think he is in heaven having a rolling rock with my Dad and my husband David. I know he is surrounded by some very special people that have gone on before us.

    Much Love
    Kitty Pyne Cross and her “bunch”
    Kent, Katie, Ginger and Joey

  12. Peg and Robbie, I am so sorry to hear about Bob. As you probably know, I’m no longer at Harry Moore or I would have been there for you guys. I’m so happy to have met the three of you, we had such a nice visit that afternoon. Please know that you are in my prayers and that God will keep you in the palm of his hand. Christy Basham

  13. Bob Patterson was a true “mensch” – that’s German for an outstanding individual. Although desperately ill himself, he took the time to guide me through rough periods after I had my own cancer diagnosis. He was always upbeat and humorous, patient and kind. What a guy! I’ll miss you always, Bob. Never will I forget how much you helped me.
    With our love and prayers,
    (Cousin) Carol, and Max Schreiber
    PS Happy Birthday today, Bob.

Leave a Condolence

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Robert Patterson

Share

Let the family know you care by sharing this tribute.

Send Flowers »

Grief Support »

Date Of Birth: December 16, 1923
Date Of Death: December 21, 2007

Robert J. Patterson “Rusty”, born Dec 16, 1923, deceased December 21, 2007.He served his country honorably during WWII in the Air Force as an Ace Gunner & Radio Operator. Rusty was a loving brother, loving father, and loving grandfather. At his request, no services will be held.

Reader Interactions

Condolences

  1. My mother is Rusty’s next older sister. They were two of twelve born to Nilus and Mary Patterson. Mom loves to talk about the war days and Rusty’s contribution to his country. Thanks for the wonderful memories, Uncle Rusty.

  2. He was one of a kind.We were very blessed to have known him.He will always be in our hearts.Our loss is Heaven’s gain.

  3. pop meant a lot to all of us and he will be missed a lot i met pop when i met tracy, pop would do anything he could for anyone no matter what it was,when i lost my dad pop filled the empty place in my heart.i know tracy will miss him a lot also,he always talked about when him and pop would go out and work on houses togeather,he really enjoyed the time they spent togeather,our son tracy jr thought the world of him there was no one like his grandpa,he thought the sun set and rose in him which it did to us,we will miss him very much.we love you pop.love you always pop tracy,trish and tracy jr. reams

  4. To the Reams and Patterson family, I know your family has been though a lot these last few years and I am sorry for all of your pain and sorrow’s. My love, thoughts and heart are with you all. I remember when Rusty and Ruth first met and the love that they had for each other it was nice to see that it’s never to late for love. Rusty was one hell of a good man that I had the pleasure of knowing and I am thankfull for that, your family has my condolences and love.

  5. My condolences to the family, I remember when you used to live down the street from us on DeQuincy, I will be sure to let my mom & dad, Nita & Sonny know. My prayers are with you all.

  6. Rusty was my grandfather, and it had been several years since I had seen him. He was always good to me when I saw him, and I have several fond memories of his visits when I was growing up. I am sorry to see him leave, but I am happy he is no longer suffering. God Bless all the people that knew and loved him.

  7. I love my brother Rusty,We were so close in our early years and as so many brothers are we find different avenues of life. We grew together; the three of us, Bud, Rusty and Chick.We always slept together three in a bed. I was the little’st so I got the foot of the bed.This was the depression days of the early ’30’s.Rusty became the Indpls. City Parks boxing champion.He joined the Air Force at age 17,went to Italy and flew 55 missions on a B24 liberator bomber.There are so many beautiful days of adventures while playing hookey from school I can’t begain to tell you. So many memories and so little time and space to share them. I’ll see you soon Rusty,save my space at the foot of the bed. Chick

  10. dad you was indeed my hero in all you did i will miss you very much i want to thank you for all i learned from you i love you and will miss you with all my love always rhonda and ron and family

  11. Rusty was my dad. And while he was among us,there was a comfort in knowing he was there. I will miss him greatly.. It is comforting to know others will too..
    Love you Dad
    Sandy

  12. To the end of our dad’s life. I will miss the fact that he’s not in the world anymore. There was a place in my heart that is empty now for he is no longer here. I will miss him. Love you Dad.

  13. Sorry to hear of your loss. He was Dick and my uncle but I’m sure you don’t remember us. George let us know. He said he had just visited him. Glad he got to be with him.

  14. I LOVE YOU DAD AND ALWAYS WILL. OUR TIME WAS NOT ENOUGH, BUT NOW IT IS ALL WE HAVE.
    I’LL NEVER FORGET HOW YOU HELD ME TIGHT AND CALLED ME YOUR BABY.
    A SPECIAL MOMENT NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN. FOR WE NEED TO REALIZE, ALL MOMENTS ARE GIVEN AND ARE PRECIOUS.
    AND DAD, WHEN YOU ASKED ME TO INCLUDE YOUR PICTURE IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL 6 OF YOUR CHILDREN’S PICTURE SANDY, BOB, KAY, TOM, DONNA, AND MINE(CINDY). I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW, THAT THERE YOU WILL ALWAYS BE. JUST AS YOU ARE IN OUR HEARTS.

    I WISH I COULD OF BEEN CLOSER TO YOU, SO MUCH HAS BEEN MISSED SO MUCH TIME PASSED. I WILL SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE ONE DAY, AND TIME WILL BE NO MORE!
    UNTIL THEN, I WILL MISS YOU, BUT KNOW YOU ARE SAFE AND VERY LOVED, FOR IN MY HEART WILL ALWAYS BE THAT PLACE THAT’S YOURS!
    LOVE YOU ALWAYS DAD, YOUR YOUNGEST DAUGHTER, CINDY.

    GOD BLESS ALL THOUGHS WHO LOVED MY DAD!

  15. Rusty was my grandfather and although i didn’t know him well and it has been along time since i have seen him, he was very special to alot of people who are special to me so my condolences to these people for their loss.

  16. Rusty –
    It has been a long time since we talked and shared time together. I wanted to thank you for your Service to our country during WWII. You will be sorely missed by your friends and loved ones.

    You are now sitting at the feet of your God awaiting his next assignment with your trowl in hand.

    Rest in peace dear friend,

    Flash

  17. grandpa,
    thank you for all the guitar lessons and listening to me play and thanks for being you i will miss you love you always lil ron

  18. papaw,
    thank you for being the only papaw i will ever know. it sure was a pleasure and a lot of fun. save me some of that candy, so we can share it when we meet again love ya and will miss ya Sami

  19. I didn’t know my grandfather, in fact I only met him once when I was a baby, too young to remember anything about him. All I know of him are stories my mother told me growing up. But, through reading this guestbook and through my family, I know he touched a lot of lives, more than I expected. So I want to give my condolences to those that knew and loved him for their loss.

  20. Uncle Rusty, You had no idea how many lives you touched. You were always kind of quite and off to the side, but knew what was happening. I remember long ago when I was young, how sometimes you and one or two of your brothers would get out the guitars and play some music. I know after seeing you a few days before you left us, you were ready to go. You have left us all with many pleasent memories. “Keep ’em Flying”
    George Lane (Bub)

  21. rusty was a quiet, gentle man, who kenny loved as a father. he loved children and always had candy he would give to them. rusty loved for the family to get together and play cards. he always seemed so excited to see everyone and to get a game started. i do not remember a cross word from him. he was a very modest man and seemed to require little. my father and he were both brick masons and i know my father enjoyed talking to him. rusty also made sure that mom had what she needed. if she wanted to drive to kentucky, he drove to kentucky. we all went to fort knox to see kenny graduate from basic. he will be missed greatly. he, mom, kenny, mike and millie are together now in a better place. we’ll miss them all.

  23. As a grandson to Rusty I cannot say that I knew him very well. Only though stories my father Bob has shared with me, and this memorial have I gained an idea of the person Rusty was. I once met him as a child when visiting Indiana, brief yet pleasant in memory I can only wish I got to know him better while on Earth. I have also had the opportunity to meet some of my Aunts, Uncles, and cousins back in Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee. That was many years ago, before I realized the importance and value of having family in my life. I feel foolish for letting the many miles between have got in the way. As I read through this memorial I realize there are many of you I do not know. Perhaps we should change that. Rest in peace Grandpa Rusty.

  24. Rusty was my Father-in-Law. We were never really close but is was not by choice. More like work,distance & life in general.I would have liked to had the chance to get to know him better. I respected him as he was my Wifes Father. I know that losing a loved one leaves a empty place in your Heart as I lost my Dad to Cancer about a year and a half ago. My condolences to those who Loved Rusty and who will always miss him.
    “When they are gone from our sight it’s their goodnight because they are sleeping in the arms of Jesus.” And may the Love and Peace of our Lord and Saviour help fill the void in the Hearts of those who miss them.

  30. Papaw, you were more like a father to me over the years. The stories we’d sare and the times we had, you will be very missed. I probly knew you better then anyone there for many years and I only wish I would have been just as much there for the last couple. Ill miss you, not only as my papaw, but as a dad. You finally get your rest,love you Matt reams

  31. I LOVE YOU DAD,I WILL MISS YOU. I WILL NEVER FORGET THE TIME YOU, TOM,DAN,AND I WENT BOWLING YOU GOT THAT 200 GAME. WE HAD A LOT OF FUN THAT DAY, ONE OF THE MANY MEMORYS I WILL CHERISH. I WILL MISS YOU DAD, SEE YOU IN HEAVEN. KAY [PATTERSON] BRADLEY SEVIERVILLE, TN kayndan@hotmail.com

  33. I worked as one of Rusty’s hospice nurses, and visiting him was more like visiting a friend than a patient. When possible, I liked leaving his visit until the end of the day, so I would have a little extra time to talk with him. He would drink black cherry Faygo and we would sit in his room or out on the front porch and swap stories. He talked about his time on a bomber during WWII, about his work as a mason, and about his family. He always spoke kindly of everyone. For those of you who knew him well, you were lucky, because there are not many people in this world like him. He was kind and thoughtful and generous. He was one of those people who make the world a better place for the rest of us. I am glad to have known him and share in the loss that you all feel. Dean

  36. Rusty was my father-in-law. We only met a few times thru the years; however, we always enjoyed each others company when we were together. To the Pattereson family remember “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

  37. To all here who have taken time away from there busy lives to sit down and reach into thier hearts and write about my Dad, thank you.
    You will always be special to me.
    We will always share that love.
    And to Ronda and family who sacrificed so much near the end of my Dads life, God bless you folks. I promise I will see you again.
    And to my Dad, I stand up at attention and salute you sir. Well
    done soldier. I’m proud of you too.
    Thank you for your precious time.
    Give Ruth and Mom a hug for me, as I know they were both special to you. From my heart, I love you Dad.
    See you down the road.

  38. To My Uncle Rusty’s Family and Friends,

    I must speak about my Dad’s memory of his brother Rusty. My Dad’s memories are vivid reminders that childhood memories tie brothers and sisters together forever, no matter the years and distance that follows. Daddy loves to tell tales of his younger years, and those stories always included his brother Rusty and Bud. Many adventures of ditching school, but the one that my Dad always remembers fondly (some how) is the three of them lining up first thing in the morning to relieve themselves after a long night’s sleep before school, because he was the smallest, he was always down-wind and that brotherly pecking order always brings a smile to my Dad’s face. Rusty and my Dad gave their families a trade, bricklaying – strong, honest, work that is still carried on by sons, and grandsons. As my Dad talks about those days growing up in challenged times, it is evident his love for his brother and how those challenges tied them together. It has been many years since I have seen my Uncle Rusty. My memories of visitng Uncle Rusty’s house were always exciting because of all my cousins. I remember Sandy about seven years old, the older, wiser, cousin sporting worldly cowboy boots. Sandy, Bobby, my brother Danny, and I walked down a dirt road togehter and picked blackberries. I still remember how sweet it tasted. My memory of Uncle Rusty is that he had a very exciting life and his brother, Chick, will always remember with great love, their misadventures. I know the emptiness of losing a loved one. I hope we all find peace in knowing we will be with them again and we all will be whole and happy.

  39. Grandpa wasn’t around much, but when he was it was a very special time; I remember as a child staying up excited waiting for him and Ruth to arrive at our house to visit, we usually went to eat at the Pixie Drive In which he always would complain about the nasty food. But it didn’t matter every time he would came down we always would eat there.
    I also remember Uncle Tom giving him a hard time about smoking floral Eve Cigarettes saying that they cause flowers to sprout everywhere a butt lands.
    He would always bring little gifts when he came to visit. One that I still have to this day is a little red bank that looks like a safe and it says Fort Knox on it, I always thought much of that little safe and recently I handed it down to my son D.J. so he can use it for years to come knowing it came from his great grandfather.
    There was another time I value, It was when we went to visit him and Ruth I was 13 years old and rusty raced me around his house and won every time, boy I hope I am in that good of shape when I’m that age.
    Rusty may not have been what everyone would consider text book perfect, however he lived it abundantly and did things in his way for reasons only he knows.
    Rusty leaves a wonderful legacy and I honestly believe without a doubt he is in a better place where forgiveness and love abounds. I will miss him greatly.

Leave a Condolence

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *