George Dean Patterson

George Dean Patterson passed away October 14th, 2018, surrounded by his family. His illness was sudden and surprising, and disheartening to his close friends and family. As a doctor, George bravely took his illness with great stride- he emitted only more of himself, all of the traits that made him the wonderful man that he was stood out even more during that time. His wittiness, his charm, his humor, and his affection were exemplified. He was a man whose wishes were simple, even when he himself was remarkable. George ‘Dean', was born December 27th, 1946 in the small city of Portola, California, to George Elwood and Kathleen Mary Patterson. He was the eldest of three children, and along with his brother David and sister Barb, the family moved to Boise, Idaho and then to Vale, Oregon. He graduated from Vale Oregon High School in 1965, and graduated from the Eastern Oregon College in Lagrande, Oregon in 1969. He then moved on to medicine, studied and graduated from the College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1976. He went on to work at the Colville Indian Health Services as a D.O., as well as a Physician for the Colville Convalescent Center. He built his own private practice in Coulee Dam and was a Staff Physician at the Coulee Community Hospital in Grand Coulee. At age 40, he decided he wanted to pursue Internal Medicine and took a three-year residency position in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he practiced medicine at the VA Hospital and at the McKennan Hospital. He then went on to practice in Grand Junction, Colorado for three years before taking a position at the VA Hospital in Fayetteville, Arkansas where he finished out his career in Internal Medicine. George was a wonderful doctor, father, brother, and friend. Over the years he accumulated a vast amount of relationships with not only his family and friends, but his patients. He carried a kindness as a human being that in turn gave those who looked for it the most comfort- he not only performed excellent medicine, but gave his time to his patients in professionalism and companionship. His familiarity with each of his patients grew the longer he practiced, and continued to fashion him into an even more generous and kind man. The acknowledgement that the human condition exists and should be appreciated was never lost to him. Growing up as the eldest of three siblings, he was very protective, and kind. He came from humble beginnings, and worked hard for his family. He also excelled in the pursuit of knowledge, shining in mathematics and science. While he was a quiet, reserved man, those who knew him personally knew the love for his family and close friends was strong. His two children, David and Sarah, remember him fondly. He was gentle and warm, and loved spending time with them as small children. He took them to the forests and lakes in Colorado, hiking along paths and catching fish in the reservoirs, demonstrating a necessity to enjoy nature and respect all living things. His teachings helped shape his children to pursue their dreams, talents, and to appreciate the world, as well as the creatures and people that lived there. And while there may have been hardships raising his children, he never lost touch- he was always there to talk, always there to lend a hand, and always there to deliver a warm embrace. He is survived by his children; David Thomas Patterson, Sarah Kathleen Alvarado, his step-daughter, Natika Tillman, his sister, Barb Peterson, his niece, Jennifer Kelley, and his partner, Jeanne Silvestri. Not to be forgotten are the wonderful Missouri family members of which Dean was very fond- and who will continue to carry on everything that made him who he was and who he came to be. His wishes were simple: he wanted to be with his family, he wanted to be warm, and he wanted to be safe. His wishes were met by family and friends, until the day he passed. From there he wished for his ashes to be spread beneath his favorite tree, the ‘Ogon', a beautiful Gold Rush Dawn tree that he tended himself. There, he will be permanently showered in the sunlight. George Dean was an amazing human being. He was a wonderful and loving father. He was an unforgettable friend. He made a special place for himself in each and every one of the people he encountered throughout his life, and would smile to know that even though he is physically gone, his kindness and friendship will continue to live on. In the National Forest, a grove of trees is growing under George's name. If you would like to contribute a tree to his grove, please visit http://www.treesforachange.com/products/custom-grove-of-trees. Condolences may be given online at www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.