Robert Spence Patterson

Aug 12, 2016 | Obituaries, Obituaries 2016 | 1 comment

Robert Spence Patterson, 96, of Lincoln, NE (and during the past 3 years, Overland Park, KS) passed away August 9th, 2016.

Bob was born March 11, 1920, to Chester and Hazel (Turner) Patterson in Beatrice, NE. His love for music started early when he became the drummer in a dance band he formed in high school, the Cavaliers, that became so successful they were the featured summer entertainment for several seasons at Fisherman’s Paradise, a resort in MI. He served 3 1/2 years during WWll with the 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion, fighting in seven major campaigns. While in the service, he once again organized a dance band that caught the eye of the Red Cross and made 108 appearances by the end of the war – 52 in North Africa and 56 in Italy and England.

He was a graduate of the University of Nebraska Lincoln and a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. On 6/15/47 he married his love, Arlis A. Swanson of Sutton, NE. He retired in 1991 after 45 years of retail management for these department stores: Golden Co., Brandeis, Hovland Swanson’s and Burden’s. He was an avid cyclist into his early 90’s as well as a member of Prairie Life Fitness Center Lincoln, where he developed many dear friendships with the staff and members.

He will be remembered for his love for people, his grateful heart, deference to others and his unceasingly joyful optimism. A truly beloved gentleman through and through. He was preceded in death by his wife Arlis, of 48 years. Survivors include son Todd Patterson (Betsy), daughter Chris Bonness (Bob), granddaughters Sara Brunfeldt (Adam), Laura Fraser (Ben) and Ashley Patterson; sister Carol Pinkerton (Bob), nieces Libby Jacobs, Becky MacMillan, Pam Mavroudis, Linda Davis and Sherry Blanche as well as great-granddaughters Savannah and Emmaus Fraser.

A memorial celebration of Bob’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 20th at Covenant Chapel Church, 13300 Kenneth Rd., Leawood, KS 66209. Memorial contributions may be made to Langham Partnership (on line) or Nebraska Trails Foundation, (by check, memo line, Standing Bear Trail Project, mailed to, 3039 Stratford Ave., Lincoln, NE 68502)

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Pam Mavroudis

7 years ago

What a gentle soul. Your smile and positive energy was amazing. You will be dearly missed Uncle Bob.

Love, Pam Mavroudis

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