Robert Francis Patterson, Jr.

Robert Francis Patterson, Jr., 86, of Fairhope, Alabama passed away peacefully on April 9^th due to complications caused by COVID-19. He was surrounded by his wife and daughters.

Bob was born on May 23^rd, 1934 to Robert and Barbara Patterson in Pittsburgh, PA. He grew up with three sisters and graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School in 1952. He went on to attend Capital University in Columbus, OH, ultimately deciding to enlist in the United States Army where he served in Japan for two years.

Following his military service, Bob built a long sales and management career in the food and beverage industry, rising through the ranks of companies including Canada Dry, Royal Crown Cola, 7UP, Coca Cola and Unilever Best Foods. A hardworking family man and father of four daughters, he was always happy to take on extra work as anything from paper boy and phonebook delivery man to security dispatcher and real estate agent.

Bob was an avid supporter of his communities in both Cranberry Township, PA and Fairhope, AL. He volunteered as an EMT and paramedic in the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company, served as Cranberry Township Supervisor in the 1970’s, contributed to youth development as a member of the Jaycees Club, and earned recognition for his service by the Cranberry Township Lions Club.

During his retirement years in Fairhope, Bob played the role of Number One Fan to his wife, daughters and grandchildren. He cheered on his daughters as a swim meet announcer for the Fairhope Area Swim Team and as Parking Director for the Fairhope High Band Parents’ Association. He never missed a Baldwin Pops concert, where Randi, his wife of 36 years, plays the flute. Whatever the activity, he could always be found in the stands, on the sidelines or in the driver’s seat towing a horse trailer. Bob was a long-time member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Daphne, AL, where he enjoyed spending time on the church council and assisting the minister on Sunday mornings.

Bob’s list of contributions and accomplishments is long, but his legacy was built on the way he made people feel. Those who knew him best (and even those who only met him once) knew him as a joyful, lighthearted, upbeat person with a zest for life and a natural ability to lift up those around him. A perfect balance of dad-joke humor and timely wisdom, Bob was the man everyone wanted to be around.

A description of Bob is incomplete without a mention of his lifelong love: the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was a twenty-six-year season ticket holder at Three Rivers Stadium and attended three Steelers Super Bowls, and witnessed the infamous “Immaculate Reception” in person. He loved cheering on the greats like Terry Bradshaw, Mean Joe Green and the “Steel Curtain”. He was a fan of all sports, enjoyed playing golf, and served as a Marshall at the 2007 U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, sister Wendy Patterson and daughter Bonnie Patterson. He is survived by his wife, Randi (Wingard) Patterson; his sister Joan (Patterson) Kurtz and husband Alan; sister Sue Patterson and husband Doug; his daughter, Vicki (Patterson) Mellor, her husband Boe, grandson Ryan and his wife Tijana; daughter Penney (Patterson) Owens, her husband Blake, and grandchildren Liam, Grace and Ben; daughter Casey (Patterson) Porter and husband Matt; dogs Freddey and Ginger; and Mazey the cat.

A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, April 11^th at 2:30pm at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Daphne, AL. The service will be followed by a reception at 4:00pm at District Hall in Fairhope. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be offered to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at holytrinitydaphne.org/giving.