William Bradford Patterson

Hey dad. As the 31st approaches, I just wanted to share with you the amazing positivity surrounding your children. Josh and I are on inspiring and powerfully positive journeys right now. It has been quite a year, as you know, and I wanted to remind you that I, that we, love you and think of you constantly. Still missing you down here.  xoxoxo

Dad,

I miss you. I miss you calling me rachey-bachey, 10 minute messages on my voicemail, your large, weathered hands and the way they rub my back when I am upset. Your ever wide smile. I miss your advice, the “i love yous” when we called to and from work, your brown hat, your encouragement, the constant push to inspire greater introspection. I miss the song for every word, the mismatched clothing, the lessons in grammar. I miss your thirst of life, your energy, singing broadway and frank, your blue eyes, our long runs. I miss your faith in me, your pride, your pushing me to do the right thing.

I feel adrift - I have gotten off track, made mistakes, lost my compass. And I miss you even more… I recently read that a bend in the road is not its end unless you fail to make the turn. As your absence comes full circle to a year, i ask your help - enable me follow your example, learn from your mistakes and move forward on a path of greater integrity, truthfulness, compassion and joy. I love you dad, and I miss you so terribly  deeply…

My grandmother, Cyreld, was Bill’s taxi passenger often.  I think he drove for Red Cab in Brookline while he was in college. 

Bill led the way in ethical dealings with pharmaceutical companies.  During our first week of med school, he refused the stethoscope, ophthalmoscope/otoscope, and reflex hammer that were given to us by drug companies.  He wasn’t afraid to mix it up with a professor or anyone else when he thought there was an injustice.   We all admired his eloquence and forthrightness.

–Eric Reines, UVM Med ‘76

One of God’s greatest gifts to Bill must have been his ability to live an examined life. He studied himself and others with a passion and and openess not often seen. He used these studies to direct his own personal growth in Spirituality, Emotion,  and Cognitively. For this he was blessed. Many of us just go through life in reaction, Bill was proactive and self reflective.

One of Gods Greatest gifts to us, was Bills ability to share and communicate the views and beliefs he had. Bill believed in people and loved communicating and relating with each person he met. For this I would like to thank Both Bill and God.  

Thanks

Keith 

Bill and I trained at Boston City Hospital years ago. When we first met, I was a medical intern and he was the supervising resident of our physician team. I remember so clearly, even now, how passionate he was about patient care, and also about broader issues of societal justice . He did everything, even back then, to narrow the gulf between doctors and patients. He cared deeply about people and about society at large. In hindsight, he was one of my first teachers in public health.

Over the years, we stayed in touch and he always impressed me with his commitment to the greater good. I admired how he lived his dreams through his practice of medicine. When I served as Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health, he regularly offered words of gentle support and encouragement. I always felt a special bond with Bill.

I will never meet anyone as alive and as vibrant as Bill. To Bill’s loving family, I don’t believe we have ever had the pleasure of meeting but please do know that Bill leaves a legacy and inspires us all.

Howard K. Koh MD MPH

Bill was as solid a professional as I have ever dealt with and an unusual manager in being both visionary and down-to-earth. We will miss him and his brilliance.

After Bill recently showed me some correspondence from 1982, I realized that I had known of Bill far longer than I thought than I knew him personally. He was a supremely disciplined individual and his concerns then and later were always well focused. I admired him for that.

With respect to his opinions regarding ethics and occupational medicine, he had the opportunity to make a constructive change through ACOEM and he seized it. Whatever he “mocked” at the time (in the words of a previous correspondent), he was serious and determined in his mission when the responsibility came to him to make change. Thanks to his efforts we have a new and stringently-reasoned code for a field that historically has been as challenged as any in medicine.

Bill represented a new generation of leaders in occupational medicine. We face new challenges in our work, of course, but medicine as a whole now faces many of the same challenges that we once faced and were faulted for. Bill appreciated the irony and was equal to the task of building a new foundation for the field.

We will live up to your legacy, Bill, and we will carry on the work.

Tee L. Guidotti

To Bill’s family,

On behalf of the Boston University School of Public Health Alumni Association, we send our sincere condolences to Bill’s family.  Bill will be remembered fondly as a fine student who gave back to the School by being a fine teacher.  He will be missed.

Harriet Brand, Director of Alumni Relations

I was at the memorial service on Saturday and learned many things about the Dr Bill I thought I  knew.Thanks to all of you who spoke.

I worked with Bill during the final two or three years of the Wilmington Health Center, up to the Choate-Symmes bankruptcy. He was my mentor in Occ Health, he hired me into my first Nurse Practitioner practice. He never tired of answering questions, then acknowledged the nursing viewpoint to patient care. I doubt I would have continued as an NP without that experience. My next two jobs were “from hell.”

It was great to see all Bill’s family, especially Dr Brad, with whom I had worked during the ’60s at the NEDH OR. Imagine being fortunate enough to have worked with both Drs Patterson. I have been blessed

Loving memories to you, Bill, and shared sorrows with all who mourn your two early departure.

Barbara Bell

I had the honor of working with Bill on disaster-related projects for ACOEM.  Bill always had thoughtful and extremely constructive input into any discussion but at the same time had a great sense of humor and timing.  He was always very considerate of the perspectives and feelings of others while being loads of fun.  I’m sad that I won’t get to banter back and forth again with him, or share ideas with him, but I’m very glad to have the happy memories that I’ll always have of a great friend and colleague.  My heart goes out to those of you who knew him in his roles as brother, husband, father, uncle, and other very close family member and friend.  Bill was high on life.  His love of life reminds me of this passage from Robert Bolt’s introduction to A Man for All Seasons:

“This account of him [Thomas More] developed as I wrote: what first attracted me was a person who could not be accused of any incapacity for life, who indeed seized life in great variety and almost greedy quantities, who nevertheless found something in himself without which life was valueless and when that was denied him was able to grasp his death.”

I don’t know the circumstances of Bill’s death, but I do know how happily and greedily he seized life, and all of who had the privilege of knowing him are the better for it.

Please accept my deeply felt condolences at your loss.

James M. Madsen, MD

I was very saddened to hear the news about Bill, as we had worked together for many years in OH+R.   He was a very good person, one who was so bright in his spirit.   He empowered you to do great things, he encouraged you to see the positive and that things were in your control to change for the better.   He had a great smile, was approachable, listened and made you feel valued.  He will certainly be missed.  To his family……I am so sorry for your loss.   Ingrid Tomney (previous OH+R State Director, Maine) 

Bill and I have been on the ACOEM board for the past few years, but it is only over the past year that I was fortunate enough to spend more “social time” with him.   Having dinner at the board meetings and educational sessions helped me realize what a special person Bill truly was.   As I prepared for trips to Machu Picchu and the Himalaya’s, Bill provided special travel advice for these high altitude itineraries.  I just returned from Bhutan and had planned to thank him for all advice at our meeting in New York next week.

Then at our winter Board meeting, as we shared a meal with a number of other board members at Pappadeux’s, Bill proposed a 2009 winter board retreat in the mountains - skiing and socializing with spouses and significant others.  He was so enthusiastic about the adventure we all eagerly awaited his planning.   He will be missed for both his past contributions and for the unfulfilled opportunities that will remain unknown.   My sincerest sympathy goes out to his family and friends.

Pamela Hymel

I am deeply saddend to learn of the passing a of a great mentor and colleague.  I had always hoped that a physically, mentally and spiritually fit lifestyle would outpace mortalitie’s early embrace, but life doesn’t always march out in predictable ways. Bill’s spirit will never be forgotten. His mark on this earth is truly indelible!

Steven J. Serra-

We Remember Them

In the rising of the sun and in its going down,  
We remember them;      
In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter,
We remember them;
In the opening of buds and in the warmth of summer,
We remember them;
In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
We remember them;
In the beginning of the year and when it ends,
We remember them;
When we are weary and in need of strength,
We remember them;
When we are lost and sick at heart,
We remember them;
When we have joys we yearn to share,
We remember them;
For as long as we live, they too shall live,
For they are now a part of us,
As we remember them.

Thank you, Bill, for enriching our lives. And to all the Patterson family, thank you for sharing Bill with us all.

To my boyhood friend, rest in peace.

Mike Summers                                                           

The Boston University Preventive Medicine Residency Program remembers Dr. Patterson fondly.  Our program was enriched by his gifted teaching and generous practice experiences.  We are saddened that the medical community has lost a true professional.  Our condolences to his entire family.  With warm regards, Jane Liebshutz and Tracy Battaglia.

I have the fondest of memories.  There were many dinners and family get-togethers, years ago, back when adults were very tall and I looked up at them.  Bill was simply the brightest of characters.  He laughed and made me laugh.  He smiled wide.  What a smile.  I have lived far away for a long while, and I have always remembered it.

My deepest condolences to Bill’s family and friends.  Josh, Rachel, everyone, my thoughts have been with you all.

love,

Mike

Dear Paterson Family,

I too, was one of the many health care professionals who worked with Bill. We first met when we were both working at St John’s (now Saints Memorial) in Lowell, then at the Regional Health Center in Wilmington. At both sites we were working in the ED- Bill was famous for being on duty on the wildest, busiest nights - thus we came to fondly call him “Wild Bill”. Despite the desire to collapse and desire to ‘just be quiet’ when the rush subsided, Bill always posed a question often it was “so – what did we learn tonight?”

Our professional lives intersected multiple times throughout the almost 30 years we knew each other. Throughout those years I had many occasions to call Bill for an answer to an OH question, or to help get access to an OH provider in another community. He was always approachable and helpful.

We didn’t always agree on the various subjects we discussed, but at the end of those discussions we were smiling and laughing together. I remember his laugh and his kindness.

May your fond memories, and the memories of all those who knew Bill, help ease your sadness and guide you though this most difficult time.

Marie-Eileen Onieal

Shortly before I left to travel to Boston to honor Bill, I watched a speech of Jim Valvano, a college basketball coach, as he accepted an award just months before he passed away because of cancer. There is one section which I would like to share with all of you since I believe it has relevance. He said there are three things we should all do every day: “Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And Number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special.” When I heard that, I saw Bill. He had a booming, infectious laugh I’m sure we can all still hear, he thought deeply about everything, and he was passionate about his family, friends, and nature. He did all three things every day.

I first knew Bill as a neighbor when Rachel was in the carpool to grade school with my kids. So many have written of his warm friendship, which I knew and valued but I want to add a word about his integrity. 

I called on him several times for his expertise in occupational medicine.  Bill would develop his views about the correlation and causation of health problems from work environments based on empirically supported evidence.  This kind of scientific rigor is not as common as it ought to be.  Bill’s conclusions had scientific support and credibility. 

My memories of conversations with Bill over the years had another touchstone, he invariably expressed true pride in his children.

Dear everyone,

My greatest love and appreciation for the Patterson family.  I have seen, heard, felt, and witnessed a very amazing unique energy and love from the entire Patterson family.  I feel very blessed to be connected with Bill Patterson.  I am honored to know his son, who has now become a very close friend to me.  I have been motivated and have learned a new way once again.  Getting to know the messages that come from Bill’s life have been so inspiring and uplifting and healing.  I look forward to learning more and more about Bill.  The entire family is very nice and friendly.  I have felt that I need to strive more and more just by hearing about peoples relationships with Bill.  I feel called to help share the incredible story of this man who had done so much, and help continue his work so he may continue to bless people with his energy.  His life has instilled in me a new strength that I will always reflect and support.  Thank you Bill.  Thank you to his entire family.
Thank you Josh.  Until we are all reunited in the mind, we must carry out our physical to reflect who we are.  Aloha

Alejandro Picker

In a farewell letter from a genius, Gabriel Carcia Marquez, famous writer from Columbia and Nobel Peace Prize winner for literature wrote that “There is always tomorrow and life gives us another opportunity to do things right, but in case I am wrong, and today is all that is left to me, I would love to tell you how much I love you & that I will never forget you.”  I have memories…the 1950s and the time Daddy took that awful motor home to Vermont and us Southern Rosses frolicked with our cousins in Lake Champlain.  I met my cousin Bill Patterson, and he and I and Billy Brooks pushed and shoved and dunked and played and had such a great time!  Years later we reconnected and had engaging conversations… again at the lake.  Ziggy and I were graced with Bill’s presence in our home when he and a buddy climbed Mohonk.  They came back exhilarated and probably ready to head back home, but I had made them a wonderful dinner and without batting an eye Bill said “of course we’ll stay” and we proceeded to enjoy dinner and have a wonderful conversation - his eyes lit up when he spoke of his love, Jan.  He seemed to have found such wonderful love and peace.  Bill showed his true self when he introduced  his father at the dedication of the wing at the hospital.  Bill’s speech was strong, warm and revealed his depth of love for family and pride in his father’s accomplishments.  I loved his reminiscing and willingness to show his tender side.  I felt such pride!  In his own way Bill has given us each a gift.  His early departure is a strong reminder that “Tomorrow is never guaranteed to anyone, young or old”.  And as Marquez eloquently said, “If I knew that these are the last moments to see you, I would say “I love you”. 

Personally, I’ll remember our discussions on the Lake and a jog we shared a few years ago.

To cousin Bill’s parents, siblings and children (cousins all) we send our heartfelt condolences.  We will all miss him, but know that he will forever be looking over us.  To the entire Patterson family, please take comfort in that.  Much love from the southern Rosses,

Scott, Ginny, Lindsay, Nate & Rock

I knew Bill pretty much from my first day as an occ med clinician in 1990.    A fond memory I have is hanging out with him at his practice one day in a suburb of Boston, way, way before the OH+R and Concentra days.  We had been bemoaning how tough it was to run an occ med practice under some health system’s computer system.  We sat a computer in the receptionist’s area,  in the pre-Windows era, and he showed me with great satisfaction how he had mastered the computer system that he had purchased to run his practice.  I was hugely envious.  His office was this tiny little cubby sandwiched between a bunch of file cabinets, but he was obviously happy with how he had set everything up.  But what I will always remember was his clarity of thought, and his sense of outrage as he mocked the “ethics” in occupational medicine and ACOEM.  As a source of good counsel, Bill was always there;  I trusted his judgement and he was one of the few people that I would ever consider working for.

Ed Galaid/Gainesville GA

     I have known Bill for about 25 years, starting out at about the same time to build our careers in occupational and environmental medicine.  I admired Bill’s energy, confidence and entrepreneurial spirit in building his occupational medicine practice while maintaining his commitment to treating workers in a fair and respectful manner.  He cared about teaching, and for years HSPH residents trained with him at his occupational health sites.   Residents often reported back to me how much they learned from him, and appreciated watching him in action, as he expertly and efficiently dealt with clinical or administrative issues. I am very grateful for Bill’s many contributions to our occupational medicine community. 

      In my conversations with Bill over the years, I also learned how dedicated he was to his family, work and community. He will be missed by all of us.  Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk and philosopher with whom Bill meditated, offers some comforting thoughts: “Birth and death are only doors through which we pass, sacred thresholds on our journey.”   I know that Bill will continue to live in the hearts and minds of his loved ones and all whom he touched.

Dear Becky, Linda and Stuart,

The one constant great source of happiness in my life has been the time spent with my three sisters and brother.  So it is very difficult for me to fathom the sense of loss you must feel with the untimely departure of your big brother Bill.  Hold on to one another tight and please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love Cousin Auty

Dear Rachel and Josh,

Every adult conversation, (and they were far too few), I had with your father started and ended with a status and well-being report on the two of you.  Oh what a proud papa he was!  My heart goes out to you both.

Love,

Cousin Auty Ross

Thank you all. Today we had the service for my father. It was very moving for me and I continue to appreciate all of the caring outreach and being so embraced by this whole community.

Some of you had questions and comments about this website. I am so glad that this site is comforting & helpful for all of us and for all of the affirmation I am receiving. I have updated the Instructions page with information about how to edit your posts and change your password and renew it if lost. For those who have sent me emails regarding this, I will reply soon.

Two funds have been established in honor / support of my father and his efforts. Information on the funds is available on the WBP’s Fund page.

Thank you all again for your indescribable support. Be well - Joshua L Patterson

I am stunned by Bill’s leaving so suddenly.

Bill was my doctor in the late 80’s in Wilmington. He was funny, thorough, considerate, while always challenging me to reach higher for myself.

During the last year it was my good fortune and delight to reunite with Bill, when we found ourselves together on a couple of committee projects. At the end of March I was blessed again to be with Bill in Chicago when he spoke to us at the American Bar Association convention. True to form, he was engaging, a showman and had prepared a terrific (and passionate) presentation for us on Occupational Medicine.

At quieter moments, when we spoke alone, Bill was ever present in that moment. After we had been sitting together listening to various speakers wax on about improving law or medicine, he said it didn’t have to be all that complicated… that life simply was all about being good to one another.

Bill: I get it. Thanks for all you gave. I shall miss you.

Channing Migner

Bill was about capturing the moment in nature and in human emotion. Got to know him well as a friend, teacher and doctor, sharing patients and working as a physician with him in his Wilmington clinic 1997 and 1998.

Fixed in the moment of the stunning news of his sudden passing, an ancient line from Chinese tradition came to mind and captured the moment for me….. allow me to share with you…

“Last night a gale of wind broke a long-lived tree. This morning fine rain soaked the traces of our tears.”

[anonymous]

Tom Gassert

Dear Bill,

     My heart goes out to Rachel and Joshua, Jan, Brad and Helen, Becky, Linda, Stuart, and all of his friends who have suffered such a big and unexpected loss.

     You and I met in Sunday School when we were ten years old;  through the church our parents became great friends.  Their friendship led to those long lazy summers in Vermont, the Pattersons on Lake Champlain and the Walshes on Lke Iroquois– all those picnics and dinners together, the games (especially sardines and battleships),  climbing Camel’s Hump, the sails that sometimes ended with the boat overturning.  You are a huge part  of the memories of my teens and twenties.  When I think of you today, on the day of your memorial service, I see you standing on a dock and behind you the combination of bright sun on water makes elongated silver stars bounce off the waves, so that you

Shoot, my post got sent before it was finished.  Anyway, all the sun and the water, and the illusion of silver stars made you look like some immortal being.  Alas, you weren’t, and now you leave a big hole with your absence.

     We never lost touch, but of course we saw each other less and less as we married and lived on opposite sides of the country.  I am fortunate to have had dinner with you and Brad last September.  You looked fit and SO happy.  You worked hard to become the person you became (does that make sense?) and you had a lovely serenity about you.

      May flights of angels…. With love, your old friend Alison

The very best of Bill will live on in his children.

We wish you peace,

Sara, Michael, David & Elizabeth Lepie

Ten years ago in 1998 Bill changed my life forever when in my transition from full-time emergency medicine to full-time occupational medicine he proved to be the very best mentor and teacher anyone could have wished for at this stage in their career.   I can add very little more to what you all have already very nicely said about Bill.  We shared our interests and experiences in medicine as well as recreation as climbers and adventurers - this will be missed - his indelible inspiration will not.  See you Bill when we all meet again one day in Valhalla! Godspeed.   Fred Emmel  (New Mexico)   

I first met Dr. Patterson during my initial rotation during fellowship. His passion for the field of occupational medicine and nurturing young physicians was evident from our first interaction. He took on a mentorship role during my 3 months with OH+R which continued throughout my training. I will never forget his advise and guidance on career, family and life.

We interact with many people through our lives, however I feel fortunate to have met and worked with such a giving and inspiring individual. He will truly be missed.

What a blessing to have all of us together. It is wonderful to be amidst such compassion & support.. surrounded by so many loved ones. Many Blessings

Janet,

‘With love all things endure, for though they may pass from this earth, they live on in the hearts of those who have loved them.’ You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Dinah

Bill,

Over the last 25 years you kept coming back into my life on a regular basis. Beginning at BU when you taught one of my MPH classes you had a way of making an impression on people’s lives. You challenged me to be more thorough in my work even then demonstrating your ability to motivate people. Over the years I watched you grow as a person while becoming more mellow as most of us do. You still remained, however, incredibly energetic and always willing to lend advice and support to so many of us. I never got to tell you how much my wife Lisa and I enjoyed watching the World Series game with you last fall in Vancouver. I never realized how much you liked baseball. It was touching how you genuinely showed interest in my son’s baseball career. It was a special time experiencing how much fun you were away from work. As we get older our circle of people that really mean something to us gets smaller as ours did this week.

God Bless,

Bob Godefroi

After reading these pages, all I can say is ‘wow’, what an exceptional “Gift” Bill was to the world, and what a fantastic legacy he has left.  I only meet him once, and that was all it took for his kind works & encouragement to touch my life .  I feel priviledged to have meet him.  My prayers go out to the family and all his many friends.

Shirley O

I was shocked to hear about Bill’s passing on Monday. Bill has been a mentor to me in the field of occupational and environmental medicine since the late 1980’s. His enthusiasm and passion for this type of medicine was an inspiration and influenced me to become an occupatioanl medicine physician. He encouraged me to be an active member of NECOEM, ACOEM and the Mass Medical Society. We served on many committees together and I admired not only his enthusiasm and energy for these committees but his love of life. He had great leadership skills. Even though we were on opposite sides of the state, he was always available for a telephone discussion and to give advice on issues I was dealing with in the Berkshires. I will miss him.  My condolences to his family.  

Regards,

Phil Adamo

It has been an incredibly sad week at Concentra.  My heart goes out to the family, friends and co-workers who have known Dr. Patterson over the years.  I had been fortunate enough to work with him for nine years and recall many wonderful moments of fun and value the times that he worked with me and our clients to provide education, health and safety to their workplace. 

Last week I asked him if he had read the book, “Three Cups of Tea”.  It is the true story of a climber who takes his visions and dreams to build schools for children in poverty stricken areas.  The story made me think of Dr. Patterson.  He always encouraged everyone to support their dreams and trust themselves to take risks to improve their lives and the lives of others.  He was going to get it in audio so he could listen to it in the car, many others had also recommended the book to him.   I was looking forward to talking with him about his thoughts on the book.  I am sorry that I will never get that chance.

The gift that I am left with now is to take his passion for living and use that each day in my own life.  Telling my family and friends how much I love them, recognizing an opportunity for random acts of kindness, risking what is familiar and taking the road less traveled.

Your smile and gentleness will be missed.  Thank you for the gifts you have left behind.

Holly

My heart goes out to Bill’s family and friends, anyone who knew Bill is suffering the loss of one of the warmest hearts I’ve ever met.  I was lucky enough to become friends with Bill, Jan, and Aaron a few years ago; Bill decided to take on a new rock climbing student.  He was so patient in his teachings, and always encouraging and enthusiastic.  He had a way of praising your efforts that made you descend the beginners rock feeling as though you just concurred the most challenging climb in the world.  Through this relationship I got to know this man as a person and he and Jan and Aaron became individuals I love and respect, who openned their home and lives in such a welcoming manner that theirs became a great friendship to me. 

Bill, your sparkle and grace and love of life and your family will be so sadly missed.  Knowing you was a special privledge that I was blessed to have had. 

Dr. Patterson had such a passion for life and living every moment to the fullest, it’s difficult to believe he is gone.  He certainly will be remembered for his many accomplishments in the field of occ med, but more so his ability for bringing out the best in all of us.  He led by example and strived for excellence in not only his staff but above all, himself.  I had the privelige to be part of his working family in Wilmington when it was New England Health Center.  The staff bonded with one another, closer than family at times, with Bill at the head of the table. It was a wonderful experience that I will never forget.  I learned so much professionally and personally because of BIll. He always ended notes and cards by saying “Thank You for Your Many Contributions.”  Now it is time to say to him “Thank You for Your Many Contributions.” My prayers and thoughts are with his family and all those he has touched in his life.  

Fondly, Janice Ciampa

I will always remember how you embraced our children as if they were your own. You would call and ask to speak to each one and ask them about their week. You took them rock climbing, which scared the hell out of me, but I trusted you and knew you would not put them in harm’s way (it was only the rock that Brad threw at Julia that happened to hit her head and thank God you were there to treat her!). Bill, you always were so sensitive to their gifts at Christmas and birthdays and would dutifully call me and discuss each one until we came up with just the right gift. Julia is so sad that you will not be hiking up to Lonesome Lake and sleeping in the huts with her, Brad, KK and Stu. Linda will now go in your place which seems so right.

Christmas Eve will never be the same as we celebrated your birthday every year at our home since I have been part of this family. I could always count on you to help with the menu and help me at that crucial time of the last 15 minutes of prep to get the meal on the table. My family will have to forgive me next year for soggy vegetables and overdone meat! You had a tendency to call later at night just when I thought I couldn’t talk and just wanted to go to bed, but I would pick up the phone and you would engage me in conversation and I would always be glad that I picked up. I’m saddened that we can’t share our incredible trip to South Africa, you would have loved our photos since you love mountains and nature and your concern for the societal issues that plague that country. I will get through, A Long Walk to Freedom, that you sent me just before we left. You are like a brother I never had. I’m not sure how to fill that hole in my heart. I’m just glad that I have so many favorite memories of you that will make me smile. I will always love you and keep you in my heart, Lisa

Uncle Bill taght me how to sqwert water thruw my PATTERSON GAP! He would read us books on Christmas.     We would go rock climing, i got a little scared he said you can do it!

LOVE, KK!

I miss you Uncle Bill.  We had such a good time together.  You used to read the Polar Express to us at Christmas.  I had fun rock climbing with you and everyone else.  You taught me one way to jump rope that was fun.  When we went to my first Red Sox game, you gave me the book, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, so that I wouldn’t be bored during the long game and you read it to me too.  I’ll always miss you.  

Your loving nephew,

Brad

I loved when we went rock climbing together. It was so much fun. I remember the time you lost your keys and I found them on the gate. I also loved your donald duck impression. It made me laugh every time. I miss you so much Uncle Bill and I always will. I love you.

Your Niece,

Julia 

I was saddened to hear of Bills passing.I worked with Bill at New England Health Center and OH+R.Bill was always the optomist.We were really a family back then.We all had children around the same age and all the ups and downs of life with teenagers.Both of my parents passed away while I was working with him and he wrote me such beautiful notes.Whenever we would get together outside of the office he always wanted to be a part of this.I truly have such fond memories of my time working with Bill.I hope his family will take great comfort in knowing how fond all of us were of him.My prayers are with all of you.

Chris O’Brien

Dear Jan and Family,

We are so deeply saddened by what has happened and we send our sympathy and love to you.

Bill is alive in our memories of great times together. We searched the old photo albums and found there some good stories. Fun times in Burlington during the medical school years, hiking and camping in the Rocky Mountains, climbing to the AMC Huts when our son Eric and Josh Patterson were little and introducing them to the outdoors. And more recently, adventures with Jan doing some of those same trails.

Bill was a kind and gentle man, our treasured friend. We will miss him very much.

Bruce & Cathy Brown

Brewer, Maine

~ These images are for Janet, Aaron, Lauren, Joshua, Rachel, Brad, Helen, Stuart, Becky, Linda, nieces, nephews, family and friends: ~ May they bring you some measure of comfort as you are reminded of the combination of Bill’s love for you each, his affection for nature, and his appreciation of the gift from God of the beauty of the earth and our freedom to enjoy, cherish, and protect it.~  My love to all in Bill’s honor, Alice Clayton~

   
  ~  When asked what he wanted to be remembered for when his life was over, Leo Buscaglia  replied: “I want to be remembered as somebody who lived life fully and with passion. I’ve been asked to write my epitaph and I have always thought that the perfect one for my tombstone would be, ‘Here lies Leo who died living.’”~

~I want to die living. And I want to be remembered as one who lived with purpose, joy and verve. I want to spend my time learning what goes into a whole and happy life, then building that life the best I can.~

~For Bill, who would be proud to know that others feel this to be a fitting tribute for him and that he definitely honored the statement above.~

~With Love, Alice Clayton, Janet’s sister~

Like many others writing here, I only knew Bill briefly but my encounters with him are certain to have an enduring impact on my life.   I would only see Bill during one long weekend each winter, camping in a yurt in the northern Whites with a close circle of friends.   This trip has always been one of the highlights of my year, a weekend filled with good companionship, a lot of laughing, adventure, woodsmoke, good ( and bad!) jokes, more laughing, great food, many hands of cribbage and hearts played by the glow of a kerosene lantern, and of course, more laughing.  A few random thoughts & memories of Bill from those trips that I’d love to share:

- Bill was always the bard of the group, the self-styled Poet Laureate of Long Mountain, and would often bring poetry to read to us at night, or would recite poetry from memory as we skied through the woods (tho’ Terry, you flawlessly performed The Walrus and the Carpenter wilst skiing during this last trip, to Bill’s great delight and praise!)

- I always loved watching Bill ski, and I would often try to emulate his style with little apparent success.  He had this beautiful, fluid & efficient stride, and he would often have this very studied look on his face, as if the motion itself was a form of meditation.  Kick-glide … kick-glide …

- Bill & I shared a sense of awe and wonder in nature, and he told me once that if he had not chosen medicine he might have gone into wildlife biology.  He would always stop and study every set of tracks that crossed our path through the snow, pull out his field guide: “Whattya think - a mink maybe?”  One year, a moose jumped out of the woods and ran down the trail in front of us.  Not even Bill with his efficient kick-glide could keep up with it!

- Bill never lost his youthful enthusiasm for adventure and exploring.  Upon discovering that there was a cave nearby during our last trip into the Adirondacks, Bill was the only one of us who was not about to let the fact that he had snowshoes on keep him from exploring the deeper reaches of the cave.  It being unnamed, I hereby dub it “Patterson’s Cavern.”  We’ll have to return there next year to properly christen it.

- Bill’s connection to Nature was clearly also on a much deeper, spiritual level, a place for finding inner quiet, contemplation and rejuvenation.  At one point during our last trip into the Adirondacks in early March Bill & I had become separated from the rest of the group.  We stopped to rest for a bit, quietly enjoying the solitude, listening to the wind in the trees and watching the late afternoon sun cast long, swaying shadows across the white snow.  After a while he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his camera, handed it to me and asked me to take a picture of him.  He then leaned over and gave a big hug to this matriarch-of-the-forest sugar maple next to the trail - and that’s the photo you see in the banner at the top of this page.  I don’t know - maybe he sensed something was about to happen and that’s how he wanted to be remembered, at peace with the world, sharing his love, eyes not on the camera but gazing into the beyond.

The memories and stories could go on forever, as I know they will be with me forever.

Bill, thanks so much for your friendship, your sense of joy and fun, love and compassion, your quiet example of inner peace.  I suppose next time I see you will be in a yurt on some cold, crystalline mountain on the other side.  You keep the fire going, I’ll bring the cards and cribbage board.

Love you

Kevin

Bill has been a professional colleague, mentor, and friend of mine for more than 20 years. He was always willing to help me help injured workers in a fair and compassionate manner. Over the years he has generously given his time to speak at various seminars that I have chaired.

Most recently, he spoke at a national conference I chaired in Chicago. One week ago today (on March 27, 2008) he gave a stirring lecture to a national audience. Not only was he a great teacher, he was a sponge for the knowledge others might impart to him.

I was privileged to become his friend, and I will miss him dearly.

Len Nason

Bill was one of those rare people in our field of occupational medicine who was thoughtful, committed, a true visionary who saw a bright future of better care for all and a central role for occupational medicine in creating that vision.  He was always willing to offer advice, mentorship, and encouragement.  Bill was deeply pleased as he saw us all learn, progress, and stretch our own boundaries as he was always exploring the limits of his capabilities.   He brought us together to develop and share common goals, and particularly enjoyed seeing the professional and personal relationships that resulted.  

And for those of us who became his close friends, we were truly blessed.   We shared his quest for inner peace and spiritual growth, his delight in family and nature, and his desire for love and to love others.  He was a wonderful companion on our annual winter hikes…. he enjoyed cold and snow, dancing on his ancient skis, finding tiny animal tracks and ice crystals like no one else.  He had a poem for every occasion!  We always laughed at his WC FIelds voice, chortling as he beat us in a game of hearts.   Bill took such delight in sharing everything he enjoyed - he wanted all of his friends to get to know his wonderful Jan.

One snowy January night, a few years ago, he arrived at our house unexpectedly, and talked my daughter and her friend into a midnight ski in the woods.  At first, they weren’t sure this was a good idea.   Wrapped in practically every piece of warm clothing we own, the girls took off with Bill.   He showed them how to look for animal tracks,  and play hide-and seek in the moonlight.   A few hours later, they returned -  laughing, exhausted, and delighted.  

 My best wishes to all of his extended family, and friends - let us all remember Bill’s lessons of forgetting self and being there for each other during this sad time, and delight in his memory. 

“Dr. Patterson” will always hold a special place in my heart. I worked with him for 13 years starting back in Wilmington when it was Healthstop. From Healthstop we became New England Health Center and on to OH&R. All of us that worked with him felt like part of a very special family.

We shared so much of our lives during those 13 years. Work was not just work with Bill.  He genuinely cared about what was going on in your life and wanted to share his also.

I learned so much from him.  He had such a passion for everything in his life. Always the optimist.

When Bill owned the practice, the core group of us that worked and grew with him were truly family.  It was so touching when he came to see me in the hospital with the birth of my daughter. Bill made time for things like that.  Again, like family.

I will never forget “Dr. Patterson”.  He made a great impact on me and I feel lucky to have known him for so many years.

He will be greatly missed. And I speak for all of us that were part of his work family, when I say this.

My sincerest condolences to Bill’s family and friends

Warmly,

Julie Dalton 

As I sat here in the Wilmington clinic over the past few days and talked with staff we all have had our Dr Patterson stories regarding how he touched our lives.   From the phone calls that he was running a little late, and then when he arrived he still had time to say hello to all the staff. He would walk in with his hat, leather coat and brief case over his shoulder like Indiana Jones MD from some adventure. Little did he know that the adventure was here with us. He would settle down wherever we had a room for him to work out of, whether it was doubling up with Dr Godefroi, in a sales office or the conference room, he was at home here. We were always glad to see him here and looked forward to seeing him again, which was always too far off.  He had touched a great many patients, clients and employees in so many ways. Yesterday I sat down with Donna Jenkins and Linda Fidrocki and went through some old pictures that were in Linda’s office. The pictures were of the early days here in Wilmington. Bill always seemed to be in the middle of the all the pictures with everyone smiling and laughing around him. I heard about the good times when Dr Patterson was here full time. I’m glad we had some pictures of that time to remember him by and to pass on his legacy to all of the staff to follow. I talked to some of the newer staff and even though we are losing part of our family here to different career choices they looked forward to having Dr Patterson on a regular basis till our holes were filled. He brought that one in a million, no once in a lifetime persona to the center with his laughter, stories, and lust for life. The center seemed to know that papa came home even if it was for a brief moment. It will be very difficult to turn the light off in the center on Friday as we all go to pay our respects to a wonderful man, father, husband, mentor, friend, brother and son who has graced us all.  They say that every end is a new beginning. It will be a difficult new beginning but with the grace that Bill has left us with it will be a little easier. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Bill rest in peace.

Chris     

Bill,

I am reminded of how often you spoke of the “next phase.” The plan we discussed most often was a return to Vermont. You were going to practice in our Burlington office. You could have climbed, hiked, and dined on Church St, and made an art of hanging out with family and friends. Between each patient visit, you could have observed the mountains you love so much from your desk, with the occasional irritation of the Green Mountain Boys (the Vermont Air National Guard) gunning their F-16’s less than a mile away. No doubt you were planning a noise abatement movement that you would facilitate!

We talked about this during the years I covered Vermont, and more frequently during this past year. I didn’t know when the transition would occur - when you would conclude that you were ready. With all your talent and energy, who knows how Vermont might have been changed? I am so sorry you did not make it to that day.

-Jim Katz

In all my dealings with Bill over the years that I worked with him at Concentra, he handled himself with the utmost professionalism and integrity. He was an accomplished physician and administrator. He led by example and it was a pleasure to have any interactions with him. You wanted to follow his suggestions because of his professional manner and respected his knowledge. For my part, I will miss his leadership and friendship.

David Feinstein MD       Center Medical Director East Hartford

I had the great opportunity to work with Bill over the past several years. As has been indicated on each posting that I have read, he was a unique person, one that makes everyone he came into contact with a better person, just through his interaction with them. He has set the bar very high for those of us at Concentra, from the science of what we do to the caring of what we do. We will not let him down. To his family, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. We will all miss him terrible.

Gary Zigenfus

Josh and Rachel,

I have been remembering your dad since I learned of his death yesterday. Death is at once so personal and so communal; it isolates us and connects us in ways we never imagined.

I have many memories…little snippets of time paused now in forever moments and seconds: sitting in the kitchen sharing coffee and wheat toast while we listened to you two and Jess giggle in the living room of the Harrison Street house, playing Pit on the porch in Vermont - your dad the biggest kid in the group absolutely delighted that he’d cornered the market on corn and got to ring the bell, and playing badminton on the grass by the bay; your dad slamming the ball over the net in victory and then falling onto the grass in laughter while everyone on the other team moaned.

I remember kind moments, such as the time we came to visit and were encouraged to bring our old, black lab Jenny who could barely walk - we could not leave her home. It was winter. It was icy. I took her outside and she kept slipping and sliding around in the back yard. Your dad came outside with me, picked her up, and carried her back into the kitchen like she was a baby. He looked at me; I looked at him, and we both knew it was time to say goodbye to her.

I remember him rushing over to The Linden in Vermont just as Jess fell off her bike on the dirt road. He looked at her arm, looked at me and gently said “Put her in the car and take her to Burlington. It’s okay, but she’s going to need a cast.” His calmness calmed me.

I remember him at Josh’s Bar Mitzvah (as I recall, your reading, Josh, was from Daniel about the three men in the fiery furnace). His eyes never left you as you read - the incredible pride he had for your accomplishment was contagious.

And I remember him again at Rachel’s Bat Mitzvah; dancing with her and smiling down at her as she made this very special passage both out of and into his life.

It is never easy to say goodbye. In many ways, we are merely just greeting each other in a new way. I am grateful for the chance to feel Bill’s presence so strongly and I am thinking about each of you now.

Char Landon

Dear Josh,

It is so hard to believe that your father has passed away. If it had happened one day later, I would have been sure it was some kind of cruel April fool’s joke. I am so sad, and somehow the world seems out of balance. My friendship with your dad started more than 15 years ago when Glenn and I began an annual winter hiking trip with him. I so enjoyed his company – our cribbage games, his instructing us on how to position our ski poles, the bedtime readings he would bring. But mostly just his loving and energetic self – super enjoying everything he was doing from identifying animal tracks, telemark skiing down a snowy hill, playing hearts, or eating chocolate. I got lots of comfort today looking back over all of our winter hiking pictures. I was particularly drawn to the group picture from 2001 that did not include Bill, that year he was taking the pictures. Although I missed seeing his very photogenic face, there is no doubt that he was with us. I suspect he will continue to be.

Thank you for putting together this web site. Let Glenn and I know if there is anything we can do for you or your family.

Love,

Terry Snyder

Dr. Patterson you will be missed…

Your gentleness and kindness will be part of me forever. You were always ready to lend your clinical and professional expertise. My exposure to you during the transition from OH&R to Concentra was a remarkable experience that allowed me to grow both professionally and personally. Thank you for being a mentor…

May your family and friends be comforted through God’s love. Though this is a very troubled time is often hard to see why such things happen to good people. As I read through the posting here it is obvious that He has used you to touch many throughout your life…

Until we meet again….

Brian Hill

Reading the pages and pages of comments about our beautiful friend, it reminds me of many conversations we shared. We would often discuss our philosophies on Love, People, Politics, climbing…….. (we both love to talk). These pages here remind me of his self titled rules

“Bill’s #1 Rule of human behavior is: People are consistent. ” (Forgive me Bill for any grammatical errors), (I sent my own wedding vows to him for corrections)

As I read these pages I am impressed over and over at the consistency of experience everyone has shared with Bill.  He made everyone feel special, he shared, loved, lived passionately, and learned as much as he could about everything.  I guess he followed his own rules. 

I will write more later.

Sincerely and with great Sympathy to all who share this deep sense of loss.

Love Keith

Dear Josh and Rachel, Becky, Linda, Stuart, Jan et al

Rhea and I leave tomorrow for a long planned trip to London, Rome, Tuscany, and Venice, so we will be unable to join you at Bill’s funeral service. Rhea joins me in sending our condolences, best wishes, blessings and love as all of you live into this difficult time. One of my earliest memories is of my parents dropping me off at the Pattersons’ so my parents could go off on a trip. I’m sure Bill would remember the visit differently than I, and since I’m almost exactly 2 years older than he, I bet I terrorized him just a bit. We of course spent time together parts of each summer at Long Point growing up, and overlapped one year at Harvard. Since then, our contact has been sporadic and infrequent. Now that Bill’s gone, I find myself regretting all the lost opportunities to know him and all of you. Bill told one of you recently that love is defined as giving someone your full attention, an idea that I find profound and also troubling, because what I know is that as a member of your family I clearly didn’t give Bill (and lots of others, both in our family and elsewhere) the full attention he and you deserve. What I’ve learned as time has gone on is that our vocation, our life’s work, is to seek reconciliation. And as I’ve discovered this week, reconciliation was an important part of the work Bill has been doing. He’s a wonderful inspiration to me. I hope and promise that Bill has inspired me to do that work more purposefully and effectively, seeking to create what some theologians call “right relationships” with you and with all of creation. I’m struck by all the poetry I’ve seen on this site, which doesn’t surprise me, since poetry is a way we humans explore the ineffable. My contribution, a prayer attributed to St. Francis, sums up for me the way Bill has been living his life and the impact his work has had and will continue to have on those who love him.

Peace and love-

Cousin Bobby

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love;

for it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

Words are difficult, and yet quite easy, to find to express love and gratitude about the life of Bill Patterson. The human response of everyone who knew Bill in all combinations of relationships is so similar. How incredible for those who knew and loved him so dearly to realize… that Bill, the man, presented himself to others in such a genuine and sincere fashion and that the qualities manifested to family …were identically manifested to colleagues and friends!

I met Bill in 2005 while visiting my sister, Janet, in Shrewsbury for our Winecoff sibling reunion over Labor Day weekend. It did not take long to realize the personable quality which drew others to him. How quickly David, Tim, Linda, and I felt as his friends. Bill and I were the oldest, or wisest, as we preferred to think of it. Within a short time, he and I were singing or reciting poems. Bill said “our southern accent was charming”. Quickly, one realized that Bill had a way of endearing himself to you almost without your awareness. I knew at that time that Bill fulfilled a simple, inspirational slogan that I had cross-stitched and framed thirty years ago. It is a statement that I aspire to follow and know that it fits Bill. “Live so that when you are gone, it will have mattered that you were here.”

Bill has been my brother-in-law only since May, 2006 when he and Janet were married. I am so appreciative of the way he loved my sister, Janet (Jan to him), and her Lauren and Aaron. In a very powerful way he embraced all of us as his family!

Since Monday, March 31, 2008, so many words, titles, slogans, poems just fit Bill’s personality. Here are a few which I would dedicate to the memory of Bill and the contribution that he made to our lives and the positive impact which resonates across all boundaries of age, occupation, and relationship with him. We are truly blessed for having been a part of his life for even a short time.

Love, Alice Clayton (Janet’s “wisest” sibling) with much love also from Steve, William and Michael

“Bill, thanks for the enrichment to our lives!“ All of this below fits Bill to me:

“You can be alert, you can create, and you can enjoy. Wake up to life! Wake up to the people in your life. Wake up to events. Wake up to your work. See, create, and enjoy. Through your attention, be a spark, a flame, a light of life. When you turn off the alarm clock in the morning, make sure you do more than just get up.…Wake up to life…and live with more awareness than ever before.”

I thought this Bible verse was appropriate and along with the “Wake Up” message above describes so much of Bill. He would have agreed with all of it I know. He also would like the artful manner in which the Bible verse frames the warm glow of the sun as it warms the green earth.

Leave a Legacy

These are what our elders say they would do the second time around. But why wait for a second time around? Every new day is a second chance!

Reflect more today—it will reveal to you what is truly important. Risk more today—take a chance on making that dream come alive. Get involved with something which makes a difference in this world— and a beautiful legacy is what you will leave behind.

May your integrity shine like the dawn. Psalm 37:6

Leaving A Leagacy: Principles To Live By

Consider others’ interests as important as your own.

Life is best lived in service to others.

Maintain integrity at all costs.

When we risk, we gain. And when we gain, we have more to leave for others.

Hard work is never a waste.

Keep going and growing that legacy!

Thank you for the legacy, Bill! We love you, Alice

The Art of Giving

We give of ourselves when we give gifts of the heart: Love, kindness, joy, understanding, sympathy, tolerance, forgiveness.

We give of ourselves when we give gifts of the mind: Ideas, dreams, purposes, ideals, principles, plans, projects, poetry.

We give of ourselves when we give gifts of the spirit: Prayer, vision, beauty, aspiration, peace, faith.

We give of ourselves when we give the gift of words: Encouragement, inspiration, guidance.

Emerson said it well: “Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only true gift is a portion of thyself.”

From The Art of Living by Wilfred A. Peterson

Thank you for the gift of yourself, Bill! Love, Alice

Wherever You Are, Be There!

B e as steady as a star.

Having the right attitude is one of the basics that success requires. The combination of a sound personal philosophy and a positive attitude about ourselves and the world around us gives us an inner strength and a firm resolve that influences all the other areas of our existence.

I remember so many funny stories we shared and I want to share this one. This stuck out in my mind first when I started thinking about him. Bill bought a new sailboat last year and had it up in Vermont at the camp. He had taken his father in law and his dad out on the sailboat. Somehow the wind caught the sail and the boat went over. Everyone fell into the water. He was screaming to people on the shore, “help me, help me, I have two elderly men with me!” He said it was freezing and he was panicking. Finally, someone came and helped them to shore. There are more details but I would have to take up this whole page to tell you about them. However, while he was telling me this story, we were laughing so hard, tears came into our eyes. At the time, he was so afraid that Jan was “going to kill me” as he put it that he almost drowned her father. And since they were still newlyweds, he was really getting nervous about this.

This is the kind of stories that Bill and I shared at the office. I have so many stories and memories, some happy and funny, some sad. I will always have those stories and memories in my heart for Bill.

I feel such a void in my life today. This shall pass with time but I will always keep Bill in my heart, prayers and thoughts everyday. I truly loved this man and I will never forget him.

Sandi Holmes

I was shocked to learn of Bill’s passing but uplifted to read all of the fond memories posted about this remarkable man. I worked with Bill on the Medical Advisory Board at OH+R and always found him to be an inspirational leader. Our medical careers took diverging paths but I will always remember Bill’s wit and wisdom. My fondest experience was sailing on Lake Champlain with Bill and Brad, doing something outdoors that the three of us shared a love for. I send my sincere condolences to those of you who shared Bill’s love.  Jeff Allen

….

My first encounter with Bill was during an interview for OH&R on his cell phone while he was driving in his car between clinics, something he always seemed to be doing. He immediately struck me as a man with insight and conviction.  When I finally met him a few months later I was impressed how he put people at ease and how easy he was to get to know.                Whatever Bill believed in, he seemed to have a strong sense of what was right and fair. He pursued his beliefs with strong persuasion. When my own life and career became somewhat untracked a few years ago Bill was in my corner. He gave me words of encouragement and was un unshakeable advocat in making sure I got back on track and I am where I am today because of him. When I last saw Bill a couple weeks ago I was touched hen he put a strong arm on my shoulder and how glad he was to have me back where I was. Bill alwasy encouraged me to do better. Bill will be missed, but not forgotten.        John L. Robertson

Dear Bill, we were freinds and colleagues while we were in medical school together in Vermont. I remember meeting you on the first day of medical school, and we decided to be partners in the disecting lab during the human anatomy course. In that weird setting, we became very close friends and remained so over the four years of med school. I think we grew to trust each other and shared both our triumphs and disappointments. You invited me to live wiht you when I was having troubles in my marriage. I have fond memories of many weekend days and nights spent at your family’s camp on Lake Champlain. I have a vivid memory of one evening when you invited me to dinner at the house you were living in on Dorset Street. You served kidney. It was the first and only time that I ever ate a visceral organ. Maybe that experience is what prompted me to go into pathology as a career. We unfortunately parted ways after graduation, and I always regreted that we didn’t stay in touch. In recent years, I have had the pleasure to be reaquainted with your parents Brad and Helen. Brad called me on Tuesday to give me the news of your untimely death. I’ve let Marga, Doug, Greg, and Matt know. I had a long conversation with Bruce Brown. As expressed by others on this site, you will be missed, but your memory will be honored and cherished for as long as those who knew you live. WWP

Bill was one of my early mentors in this field when he taught at the BU School of Public Health.  It was from him that I caught the interconnectedness of occupational medicine with the whole of public health as well as absorbing his assertion that, besides medicine, it incorporated sociology, economics, and history – in other words it was all about the US and the world, distilled into its own specialty.  No one could convey both the richness of the field overall and the sense that it was all part of a larger theme.  He would say “You can pick up the New York Times or any other newspaper on any given day and find an article on occupational and environmental medicine.  How many other fields can you say that about?”

When, several years ago, I picked up a copy of Appalachia and found his article on Camp 4 and his return to climbing in Yosemite, I e-mailed him to express my delight in seeing him in print there (and to twit him about where he was now ‘publishing’).  When I congratulated him on his resumption of climbing in his 50’s and lamented my own lapsed efforts, his advice was just as relevant to climbing as to occ med – he told me “there’s no reason you can’t return to it and do just as well.” 

We should all wish to be out on the ‘sharp end’ of so many things as he was.

John Meyer

No matter how many times I try to express my love, gratitude and sorrow in this moment, nothing comes close to being enough.

Like a shooting star captures the beauty of life in the cosmos, my devoted husband, Bill, had an almost magical way of bringing brightness to everyone he touched. He touched my life and my son and daughter’s lives in so many deep and meaningful ways over the past several years.

But like a shooting star, the love of my life has disappeared much too quickly. We will miss his presence sorely. But we will get our strength from the gifts of his everlasting love and his ability to live each day to the fullest.

Bill and I met in 2003, just as I was going thorugh my divorce and while he was starting through his.  We became close friends, in great part through the emotional pain we both were living under.  Bill lived at my house for about three years until he and Jan were married, and I now feel deeply grateful to have known him and shared so much with him during that difficult time.  I miss him terribly already.  I looked forward to being friends with him for the rest of our lives.  Bill had, I know, the same effect on many others who felt that their bond with him was special and irreplaceable.

This morning on the way to work, I saw daffodils and crocuses coming up through the soil in my front yard.  Bill and my daughter Martine had planted them several years ago, and thought how appropriate it was that they should come to life from the soil just as Bill’s life has ended and he has returned to the earth.

I’ve been thinking about Edna St. Vincent Millays’s Dirge Without Music the past few days, which expresses my feelings better than I could:

I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground.
So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind:
Into the darkness they go, the wise and the lovely. Crowned
With lilies and with laurel they go; but I am not resigned.

Lovers and thinkers, into the earth with you.
Be one with the dull, the indiscriminate dust.
A fragment of what you felt, of what you knew,
A formula, a phrase remains, — but the best is lost.

The answers quick & keen, the honest look, the laughter, the love,
They are gone. They have gone to feed the roses. Elegant and curled
Is the blossom. Fragrant is the blossom. I know. But I do not approve.
More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world.

Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave
Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.

Wherever you are now, Bill, know that you were and still are loved by the many people whose lives you changed for the better, and you will live forever in our hearts.

Derwin Hyde

Shortly after moving onto Harrison St. Bill had enlisted me in his morning running group.  For many years we circled Bill’s beloved Cold Spring Park in all weather.  I was usually still half-asleep, but Bill was always ready to meet the new day with enthusiasm and energy  - it was  infectious.  As we ran, Bill would caw back to the crows or return the whistle of a chickadee, and it seemed they always responded.  He often quoted his favorite Robert Frost poem on those runs:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Bill - I tell this with a sigh, and know the difference you have made.

Dan.

Bill told my husband, Gordon, and I that he was thinking about Aconcagua as his next “big” climb. He loved Rainier so much and hoped to make a trip each year while retaining as many brain cells as possible.  Here is a picture of his next dream climb.

It is truly incredible for me to see this flood of contributions from my father’s loving and admirable community. It is amazing to learn about the many specific ways Bill benefited our community, from accounts of fond memories some of us shared together, to many thoughts & experiences I had not heard of from friends whom I have not met. I can’t describe how much this means to me and all of us from the public and private messages we have been constantly receiving. With full respect and appreciation to all - Joshua

From Greely’s Gang to Uncle Brad’s, with caring and concern for each of you…

O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day, Bill. We thank you for giving him to us, his family and friends, to know and love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before.
Amen.

Bill was so helpful and supportive of me when I started my own business.  I will never forget his smile or his support.  He was always there when I had a question.  This is a big loss for the occ health community.  My heartfelt sympathies to Bill’s family.

Nancy Clover

I met Bill and his family soon after we became neighbors on Harrison Street. We became instant friends and quickly learned that we had many similar interests some of which were rock climbing, exercise and a love for the outdoors. We started running together in the mornings. Bill’s devotion to running at six in the morning was amazing. We ran summer and winter. No snow, freezing temperatures or darkness could keep us in. 

We climbed, hiked and skied in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and I swear he knew all the trails.  We also spent many hours clinging to rock faces together. As climbing partners we trusted each other with our lives and I couldn’t thinks of anyone I’d trust more with that responsibility. He always said, “take care of your partner”. We endlessly checked and double checked each other’s knots and gear before and during each climb and made sure the route we set was also safe for each other.

Bill’s passion for life was contagious. He enriched my life and will continue to do so in memory.  I will miss him terribly. He seemed to have a poem or a song for every occasion. I’ll keep listening, Bill. 

Sam Ogden - Newton

In 1988, when we were looking for a house to buy, we drove down Harrison Street and there was an active birthday party at 43 Harrison Street and the aqueduct. Dan and I said this was the neighborhood we wanted to live in. The birthday party was for Josh, 7 years old. Barbara later told me that when we drove down the street, she wanted us as neighbors as we drove a van with a Museum of Science sticker in the window. There were so many parallels with the Linder/Pattersons and we felt a connection with Barbara and Bill. I walked with Barbara, Dan ran with Bill. Bill had a love for Halloween just like me. We moved onto Harrison Street, I was 5 months pregnant with our daughter Megan, Nick was 5 years old. Bill taught me how to play “Kick the Can”, how to use the hose when the kids were all having a water gun fight, and I remember Bill’s singing. I’ll miss you Bill.

Cathy

My thoughts and prayers are with all of the Patterson family. 

I had the pleasure of working with ‘Bill’ for a number of years back in the OH+R Wilmington days.  When I started in the office, Dr. Patterson, as I referred to him initially, was one of the most dynamic Physicians that I had ever met.  I often relied on his expertise, in the workplace as well as at home.  I remember during the months leading up to the birth of my first son, my wife was very sick and nervous about the health of the baby.  I was speaking to Bill about how awful she felt, and he immediately said “let’s go call her”.  He did and told her to come in as soon as she could get into the office.  He told me that it’s always best to reassure an expectant mother and keep her happy!  He spent a good amount of time with her, and let her know that everything was completely normal and she would be fine.  That one moment has always stuck with both of us and demonstrates how caring and thoughtful Bill was to all around him.  This was a perfect example of his patients or friends always getting the best that he could offer.

This world has lost such a wonderful and caring man.  We all will miss you, Bill!

Rich Doucette

I have had the honor and privilege of knowing and working with Bill Patterson, for 2 ½ years.  I will always count him as a mentor and a friend.  He set the bar high in everything he did and challenged others to meet those expectations.  His standard was excellence, which some people may have called demanding, but it was derived from a sincere love for his profession and a passion to help others grow and succeed.  I am sure that in the days to come I will find myself asking, “What would Dr. P think?”.  I can only hope that his words and wisdom will come flooding back to me.  He has made his mark on my life and will not be forgotten.  I am all the better for having known him.

Julie Thomas

Hello all. I’ve spent a great deal of today thinking about Bill after receiving Rachel’s e-mail this morning.

I met Bill in ‘81 when I started my first health care admin job @ BCH and have the following random thoughts: Josh as a 14 mo old on Bill’s shoulders outside of BCH; animatedly discussing current events at work - I must’ve been asked to sign at least one petition!; Thanksgiving dinner at our house; Rachel walking; Thanksgiving dinner at Bill & Barbara’s; walks in the neighborhood; ice cream; walks in the wood; good conversation; good wine; good food; Bill’s 40th B’Day party; New Year’s eve ‘88 where I lay on my left side on the couch at Harrison Ave. 2 wks before Rebecca’s (my daughter) birth; Bill quietly sitting at our going away party (’96); visiting when we returned: talking about hiking, skiing and then playing cards with my family (did we teach him to play euchre?); x-mas cards; e-mails.

Most of all I will remember a vibrant, caring friend whom I looked forward to sharing thoughts about future adventures. He will be missed.

Thanks Josh for putting together such a lovely site and tribute to your father and my friend. Thanks Rachel for keeping us connected and part of ‘the family’.

Jacqui

Bill’s path and mine have crossed innumerable times over many years. He was an incredible resource to me as I inherited oversight of an occupational health service years ago and a valued colleague in our mutual pursuit of initiatives to protect and improve the health of the public. His activities spanned the realms of occupational and environmental health, addressing and preventing injuries or sharing his vision and wisdom on broader public health initiatives. His dedication to patients and dogged pursuit of ways to improve our abilities to care for them and the environment in which we live was exceptional. His passion for doing what was right and best unrelenting. Being in his presence was always an uplifting experience. The suddenness of his death has left so many of us, many more than his family can even imagine, in shock and at a loss. We offer our most sincere and deepest condolences to his entire family.

Bruce Auerbach, MD, President-elect, Massachusetts Medical Socoiety

Words are feeble things when we try to express the deep emotions of love and sympathy.

Your extended family send caring thoughts of peace and comfort.

With love,

Lana

Please go to the Service Page (link at top right hand side of this page) for location information concerning the two services that we are planning in Shrewsbury in Bill’s honor this weekend:  (1) time for those who would like to remember Bill and visit with his family on Friday from 5-7 pm and (2) a memorial service on Saturday from 11 am till approximately 12:30 pm and a luncheon/reception to follow.  Both services will be at the First Congregational Church in Shrewsbury, Mass.     

I have known Dr Patterson, “Bill” for about 8 years.  I am a Nurse Practitioner and I felt like a colleague when with him.  A great mentor.  A gentle man with a good soul.  We had similar interests in climbing/hiking and Mother Earth. 

My condolences to all who knew him too.

Bill, your spirit is free now and will soar as beautifully as an eagle on the wing. 

Peace

Dail

Josh and I were preschool buds and I have maintained a great relationship with him since then.  That being said, I was a mere tot when I first met Bill.  I will always remember his vivacious energy and electric laugh.  I will always remember his contemplative nature and strong work ethic. 

A few memories:

This must have been 15 years ago or so but one day while on a play date, Josh and I were all wound up on a sugar-hi or perhaps we were just in one of our many preteen ultra-hyper moods and were running all around his house clucking like chickens and making a loud commotion, and I’m sure, being extremely obnoxious.  We ran in and out of the living room where Bill was sitting, over and over again; it must have lasted at least half an hour.  The whole time Bill just remained in a reclined position on the couch, serene and contemplative, unperturbed.  He had papers in front of him, a voice-recorder to his mouth and was speaking his thoughts into it, without break, unmoved by the immature squawks in the background.  Only a man of great brilliance could have had that kind of focus to continue on with his workload, to maintain that stream-of-consciousness while keeping the little devils at bay.

After hanging at Josh’s house for the afternoon (a bit older now, a bit more mature) I didn’t want to walk home and Bill offered to give me a ride.  We hopped in his car and mid-route I was fumbling around with his radio.  He slapped my hand away and inserted a tape.  I was expecting some hot new artist to come on that Bill had the inside scoop on.  Instead, blasting through the speakers were renditions of children’s songs like A Hunting We Will Go, Row Row Row Your Boat, A Tisket, A Tasket, etc.  I looked up at him in shock.  “It’s cute!” he said, bobbing his head back and forth with a huge grin on his face.   We listened to it all the way home. 

What a man.  My thoughts are with you Josh, Rachel, family and friends. 

Love,

Dave Puretz

I feel privileged to have known Bill as a friend and colleague for more than 25 years.

He was an excellent physician, an inspiring teacher and adviser, and a visionary leader who embraced life.

We will deeply miss him. And his legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of all those he touched.  

We came to know Bill as a part of Long Point, Vermont where his spirt will always remain.  So many of you who knew him professionally have talked of his contributions, his team nature, his willingness to contribute his intellect, his humor, his smile, and his support.  All of this, the best of Bill, I have experienced.  I feel fortunate to be able to call Bill Patterson my friend, and his father, Brad, my mentor.  Our hearts and prayers go out to the entire family and all of the extended family.

As Bill, Becky, Linda, and Stuart evolved into owners at Long Point, Bill committed to supporting the best qualities of life on the Point and committeed to supporting those of us who lived closer, or were already retired, who were and are on the Board of Directors and on Committees working to continue the Long Point Legacy.  I have reached over the distance to shrewsbury via the miracle of email to Bill many times for his keen insight, and his articulate way of phrasing thoughts that bring people together, and his help.   Bill’s committment to what he believed was right, and just, colored everything he said and did.  He was an example of courage, strength and grace for everyone involved with groups of people working through change.  Vermont will miss Bill, Long Point will miss Bill, and we will miss Bill.

Sue & Steve Lackey

We first met Dr. Patterson in the mid-1990’s when we were looking for a physician to treat our employees who were injured while working.  Our search was exhausting as we wanted to make certain the physician and medical clinic we selected had the compassion to treat our employees and would provide World Class medical care, at the same time not treat our employees as “just a patient”, but rather with respect and dignity.  Our search committee unanimously selected Dr. Patterson and the journey began.  Never an issue with his handling our employees medical needs and making himself always available.  Our employees comments were always favorable regarding Dr. Patterson.  With all respect to his family and I am sure to his many friends and professional acquantancies, we at Anheuser-Busch Companies, St. Louis, Mo. offer our sincere condolences.  The world has lost a decent, caring man who we all came to admire for him being him.

Larry Jordan

I knew Bill for over 20 years as a colleague, mentor, supervisor, and most importantly, as a friend.  He was always such an inspiration professionally and personally. This has been such a shock for all of us.

Bill has been there for so much of my life, especially in the last 12 years.  I cannot imagine a world without him.  He pushed me and inspired me so much.  When my wife was diagnosed with cancer, and all through her treatment, he was always there supporting me, making sure I was doing what I had to do for her and my family.  He visited her when she was undergoing chemotherapy in Boston.  He supported me when she passed away.  The following summer I decided I would climb the Grand Teton with my son and Bill was just so involved with helping me choose a guide service and training for this climb.  On the morning of our summit, as I was struggling up an icy cliff, I was about to give up and tell the group I’d wait for them.  Then I thought about Bill and how he’d tell me to find my inner strength. I did and he was so genuinely pleased when I told him after I returned.

I keep an email on my bulletin board in my office that he sent me about 5 years ago.  It says:

 “you can’t please people all of the time, you will make mistakes.  people you work with will let you down and not follow through.

that’s the way the world works.  let it be and go on with your own work as best you can.  Bill”

That was Bill all the way.

We shall all miss you so much.

Dana Sparhawk

I am heartbroken to learn of this incredible loss. I have known and worked with Bill for more than 20 years. His brilliant mind and eagerness to help on a range of environmental public health issues will be missed as will his charm and sense of humor. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to know and work closely with him. My most sincere sympathies to his family.

Suzanne K. Condon, MA Dept Public Health

Wow! Just reading through the entries from this website you get a sense of this man… the depth of his character and the breadth of his knowledge, interests, and impact. Bill was an outstanding and rare individual. I worked more closely with him this year on a committee and through it got to know him better. I had nothing but the most respect and admiration for him. Like others I only wish for more time in his presence, as I felt our friendship would grow, and there was a lot I would learn from him.

It is shocking to see such a vital and productive person gone so quickly. But at the end of this lifetime, what more could you ask than to be remembered by your family, friends, and colleagues with such love and admiration?

I will miss you, Bill.

Our hearts and prayers go out to all of the Pattersons and all of Bill’s many friends and colleagues who have posted so eloquently and sincerely here. 

Suss put it very well … once you befriended a Patterson — or vice versa — you got the whole family.  Stu’s siblings became our siblings, and Stu’s parents became our parents.  And now your loss becomes our loss, though we cannot truly know your pain.  All we can try to do is provide some measure of comfort through our common love and respect for Bill.

Suss mentions the great wedding event on Lake Champlain …. that black and white photo of Bill and Stu and the rest of us in our matching striped ties is precious to many of us.  What I remember even more vividly is the way Bill hosted and emcee’d Stu’s bachelor party dinner.  He was in rare form that night … that delightful mix of wit, intelligence, playfulness (even mischievous!), sentiment and joy was palpable.  Let me describe it the way Bill might:

“With grace he hosted

With glee he roasted

With pride he boasted

With respect he toasted” 

In Judaism (yet another thing embraced by Dr. Bill) we say ‘zichranam livracha’ … ‘may his memory be for blessing.’  It surely will for everyone he ever met.

Our thought are with you,  Wes and Sherry

Please go to the Service Page (link at top of page on right hand side) for location information concerning the two services that we are planning in Shrewsbury in Bill’s honor this weekend – time for those who would like to visit with Bill’s family on Friday from 5-7 pm and a memorial service on Saturday from 11 am till approximately 12:30 pm and a luncheon/reception to follow.   

Stu

When I think of Bill one thing jumps out more than anything else: he was always there for me.

When my company needed a conference speaker, or a good quote, or some insight on an occupational medicine topic, he was always there for us.  When I needed a speaker and/or other help for the ACOEM section that I co-chaired, Bill was there as well.  And when I had to deal with a daunting personal challenge Bill was there with his unique combination of compassion, wisdom and sincerity.

Tragically Bill is gone - but his impact and influence will be felt for decades to come

Frank Leone

I had the good fortune of knowing Dr Patterson since the merger of OH+R with Concentra. He was my perfect Guru, each time I needed help he was always there to guide.He always had a suave and pleasant demeanor.

Hard to believe that less than 2 weeks ago we were at a gathering of CT docs when he gave an inspiring speech. Little did I know that the lively conversation I had with him then would be my last.

He always encouraged me to strive to be better in what I did. It was an honor and a privilege for me to have been in the company of a fine physician and teacher. I am sure I speak for all of the CT colleagues as we mourn this sudden loss.

 Our sincere prayers to the Patterson family at this sad moment as we cherish the memories of a life well lived and so complete.

Chander Devaraj MD, Stratford, CT.

I thought that my relationship with Bill was unique.  We had formed a respectful bond over twelve years of work together at OH+R and Concentra, he growing to understand my ambitions as a health care worker, and my learning to appreciate his perspective as a leader, teacher and advocate for public health.  Through our dialogues he became my most trusted support and advocate. 

His window to conversation remained open despite occasional (frequent?) difference of opinion.  When, during the course of a busy day, I would be told that Bill was on the phone, I readily answered his summons rather than consider it an intrusion.  The calls were interesting, his agenda substantive, ideas exchanged and a plan of action formulated.  He was always moving forward, with experience as a guide and creativity as fuel.  I felt it a point of honor to be asked a question or assigned a task. 

In sharing thoughts with colleagues and reading posts on this site, it is clear that Bill managed to make many of us feel special.  I recognize that I was part of a large and privileged subset to have been touched by this good man.

His was a life with purpose.  I would like to think that this purpose was fulfilled through his generous gifts of teaching, caring and touching.  His reach and good work lives on in those he influenced. 

While diminished by his passing, we were enriched by his presence and are blessed by his memory.  May friends and family be comforted by the loving thoughts we share.

Wayne P. Estes

Dr. and Mrs. Patterson, Becky, Linda, and Stu:

If I am feeling the way I do about this tragedy, I can’t even imagine how you are all handling it.  But ever since I became an adjunct part of your family, when Stuart and I started college, I’ve known how close you all are, how strong you all are, and the incredible faith you all have.

Monday’s phone call from Stuart’s assistant prompted a flood of snapshot memories of Bill.  When we were in college, he was the grownup, but he still was a kid at heart.  There were the roadtrips up to Spindrift, when supposedly we were studying.  When Stuart (finally) got married, there was Bill looking resplendent in that black and white photo of the wedding party overlooking Lake Champlain.  And weren’t there some associated, late night hijinks on local roads?

It’s just not supposed to happen this way.  I am thinking about all of you constantly, and if I can not get to Boston this weekend, please know that I am there with you in spirit.

Love,

Suss

I can remember the first time I met Bill.  It was during the final days of Health Stop and we were looking at buying some of the centers as the cornerstone for OH+R.  Bill came into the lobby of the hotel where we were to meet carrying a number of things in his arms including several business books.  I immediately thought, ”Oh, oh.  A doc with business books.  This can’t be good.”  Well it turned out to be very good indeed.

We didn’t get Bill into the OH+R fold until a few years later but once we did, what an impact he made.  He immediately showed his leadership qualities and became the obvious choice to chair our Medical Policy Board and lead the clinical team, which he did for close to a decade.  No small task to balance all of the factors that go into efficiently delivering high quality care across many locations in different states.

In fact, balance is the word that, for me, best describes Bill.  Brains and heart.  Confident yet humble.   Adventurous yet careful.  Open-minded but true to his principles.  The list could go on.  Suffice to say, I can think of no other individual that could take “the middle way” such that it was a synergistic combination that was stronger versus a watered-down compromise.

I learned much from Bill and will always appreciate how knowing him helped me to be a better person.

I can hear Bill saying…..

Death is nothing at all

I have only slipped away into the next room

I am I and you are you

Whatever we were to each other

That we are still

Call me by my old familiar name

Speak to me in the easy way you always used

Put no difference into your tone

Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow

Laugh as we always laughed

At the little jokes we always enjoyed together

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was

Let it be spoken without effort

Without the ghost of a shadow in it

Life means all that it ever meant

It is the same as it ever was

There is absolute unbroken continuity

What is death but a negligible accident?

Why should I be out of mind

Because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you for an interval

Somewhere very near

Just around the corner

All is well.

Nothing is past; nothing is lost

One brief moment and all will be as it was before 

How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!

Canon Henry Scott-Holland, 1847-1918, Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral

Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill’s family.

John Garbarino    

First, I send my humble prayers for the family and friends of this angel of God, Dr. Patterson.  I was blessed with the honor of briefly meeting Dr. Patterson only once.  Never the less, through by warm words of his close friend, Keith Havemeyer, and other colleagues I knew that Dr Patterson was one of the most genuine people to ever walk the face of this earth!   He will be missed immensely, however, his legacy will forever live on…

I was shocked as everyone was upon hearing the news of Dr. Patterson’s untimely passing.  Shocking because someone so healthy and vibrant could be gone in a blink of an eye.  Looking through all the postings I can see the impact that Dr. Patterson had on so many people in different ways.  From family and friends to collegues and staff, you can see the impact that he had on all who knew him.  I think that when you leave this world you hope that what you did on this earth mattered to someone, at least this is what I wish for.  Clearly Dr. Patterson mattered, a lot.

While I knew Dr. Patterson for a brief time, I learned a lot from him.  Having him work with the staff in the Springfield center was wonderful to watch.  He took the time to teach everyone something.  He was someone you could turn to no matter how little the problem was and he would help.  He was a fair and balanced individual, taking the time to listen and offer insite.  I will miss working with him. 

Jennifer Ritchie

Whether the occasion was kick-the-can or Halloween, Bill was often the biggest kid on Harrison Street. He enriched our block-long universe with his boundless enthusiasm and infectious spirit. We’re glad he was a neighbor, friend…and playmate.  - The Ruben/Englanders

We played arcade video games at the Highlands pizza spot when I was 3yrs old & imagined with Legos. We splashed with floating tubes in Lake Champlain Vermont until sunset & then had summer dinner with Mom and Rachel + our grandparents on the beach-side porch. We hiked Mt Washington and others, camped, stayed in the mountain huts and crossed rushing streams with waterfalls in the rain. We spent incredible times together with my sister [whatup RLP!] and my mother. In Maine we skied double black diamonds and had chowder by the fire place with snow piling up outside. Years later we lit incense and had deep silent meditations.

We were planning on rafting through the Grand Canyon this summer. A couple weeks ago we saw the Grand Canyon Imax movie at the Boston Museum of Science, a place I loved exploring with him when I was a kid. We shared pizza on Charles Street afterwards with family. Last week we were talking on the phone about investment opportunities and had ideas about collaborating on global health projects. Thought he would retire sometime and be there to see another generation. We would do so much more…

I have had the pleasure of working for/with Bill for the past 9 years. He hired me as a young Occupational Medicine physician just out of the Army. I have truly benefited from his experience, knowledge and leadership skills over the years. He pushed me to be a better clinician and medical leader. He was a true mentor and as the years went by I came to know him as more than a boss but also as a friend.

A highlight of the past year for me was the time we spent in Vancouver, BC at the SOTAC meeting. We walked around the city and took in the beauty of the setting and then we went out for dinner to a sports bar and watched the Red Sox win Game 1 of the World Series.  We were able to relax and talk of sports and life and put the stress of our jobs to the side. Bill stressed living a balanced life and putting family in the forefront.

I offer my condolences to Bill’s family during this difficult time.  Bill’s legacy in Occupational Medicine will live on in all the professionals who had the pleasure to work with him over the years.

Rich Maguire, MD

 I am just 6 months new to the Concentra team, however, from the outset, Dr. Patterson was very supportive and welcoming in my communications with him.  His care and concern for his patients and his Concentra colleagues was quite evident in his daily work.  My only disappointment is that I did not have a chance to meet him in person.  May we all continue to live in the moment and remember the GIFT that the universe gave us with Dr. Patterson’s PRESENCE.  My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Patterson’s families, both personal and professional.

Sincerely,  Jo-Anne Gannon

Thanks for the photo Keith, and for the wonderful friendship you shared with my father. Sandi, thank you for all of your help-

My father and I grew so much over the last few years. It was incredible to see him progress through difficulties and learn from him & with him - to manifest the type of relationship we worked so hard to build and had always envisioned. I am so thankful for all of the wisdom that has come out of this journey with my father and show appreciation to all of his teachers - and nature, the teacher of all in this shocking instance.

Meditating with my father was incredibly helpful for me personally and for our relationship. The Vietnamese Buddhist Monk Thich Nhat Hanh was one of my father’s personal teachers with whom he enjoyed meditating and going to see on spiritual retreats. Dad invited me to go with him, but for some reason or another, we never made it. I guess we thought we would have more time ahead of us to go do that. Well Dad, I love you and I miss you and now you are on the ultimate spiritual retreat. Thich Nhat Hanh, myself, the family, and the rest of us will do our best. Take care Dad. Love, your son, Josh

I am shocked and saddened by this terrible news! I first knew Bill when he was a young doc at BCH. He was a fun-loving extrovert with kid-like energy and curiosity, which he never lost.

Later, he became a colleague and friend of my late husband, Jim Ryan. The two of them enjoyed a long, successful collaboration on various occ med projects. Jim admired Bill’s intellect and entrepreneurial skills. I appreciated Bill’s kindness and tenderness towards Jim, during his illness. They both shared a love for family and the great outdoors.

I know I speak for Jim when I say that Bill was a good man of many, special gifts. He is prematurely lost and the world is diminished. My deepest condolences to his family and friends and to the Occ. Med community.

Marilyn Morrissey

Bill Patterson was a very, very good man.

Bill became a friend gradually over 15 years of working together, hiking and camping together, and talking about life, love, work – more. He was a touch stone – a friend whose insights and opinions helped me better understand myself and life. He was a fun guy to be around – quick with a smile and a laugh – looking for the joy in life.

Bill and Jan’s wedding was just great. I talked about it for weeks after with various people because it was so unique, interesting, and life affirming. It was so like Bill and Jan to meld lots of strings of tradition and thought into a ceremony that was as meaningful and thought provoking for the attendees as for the celebrants.

Here is what I think I take with me from Bill.

Love your family and hold them close.

Cherish your friends and constantly enhance the fabric of your community of friends.

Use your skills and talents in a way that optimizes your contribution to the good of mankind and life.

Not a bad roadmap for a good life – and what else would you expect from Bill Patterson – a very, very good man.

Nick Kirby

While I sat next to Bill at a cajun restaurant in Chicago 2 months ago, we ate, sang with the band, and plotted the next winter ACOEM Board meeting in Utah to mix pleasure with business on the ski slopes. Bill knew how to work hard and play hard and clearly lived a robust existence. His loss is a shock to us all but also a reminder to emulate his enthusiasm and zest for life.

Bill Buchta

I have visited this website off and on today, and I truly feel as if I’ve known Bill, too, because of the way you’ve described him to me during our many, many conversations.  It is obvious that you were married to a great man of integrity, and it is obvious that he loved you, Janet!  Don’t ever forget that, my friend.  In my effort to find words of comfort for you, I’ve gone to the place that always brings comfort to me…God’s word.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you with me that you also may be where I am.”  John 14:1-3

Keep the faith and remember I am only a phone call away!

I love you….Pam

I only had the privilege of knowing Dr. Patterson for a little less than a year, but he had such an impact on my life. At first he was someone I looked up to and was honored to be in his presence, then he became a father figure to me. He went out of his way to always tell me how much I was appreciated as an employee and as a person. When I found out I had cancer, he went out of his way to put me in touch with colleagues and other physicians he knew and respected to help me. I will always be grateful for that because by doing that he had a part in saving my life. He always encouraged me to fight and keep looking forward. He was the most compassionate, caring, understanding, generous man I have ever met. He encouraged me to follow my dreams and be confident in myself. He will be missed greatly.

Sarah Mendrala  

As a nephew, I was privileged with Uncle Bill’s full, genuine smile and jovial demeanor. This past weekend, while he was in the Midwest, I enjoyed a short breakfast conversation with him and was touched by his zest for life, health and youth at heart. Uncle Bill had a youthful, eager presence that allowed me to talk to him comfortably, as with one of my friends, yet emanated the wisdom of a well-seasoned man.

Family, we will all be together soon to mourn and honor Uncle Bill.

Bill would begin with a bell … and expect that we would be mindful of the ring and be silent.  Listen …

And then,  it would be time to go…. to jump up and run, ski, climb and roar with the fun of it all…. 

And then,  it would be time to work … to heal, to direct, to teach, to orate, to make the world a better place.

And, always, it would be time to love … and to let us know he loved us.  It is what he wanted most … to really know us and for us to know him.

And as for his death,  this prayer would be his…

Bob McLellan

I had the honor of serving on the ACOEM Board with Bill. He had such insight, humor, and natural leadership skills. Listening to his comments was my favorite part of the last couple of meetings. He was a great professional who will be missed.
Mary Yarbrough

I had the privilege of working with Dr. Patterson at Concentra for the past 2 1/2 years, and I truly do consider it a privilege. Bill exemplified the core values that he advocated so strongly, and was the embodiment of the quintessential medical professional. Every physician I spoke with over the past two days indicated that they felt the same way. His family should be very proud of him for that alone. In addition, as if that isn’t enough, Bill was a tremendous medical resource for occupational health specialists throughout the country, both within Concentra and in the positions he filled at ACOEM. Although he will be dearly missed by his colleagues, I cannot imagine the anguish his family is feeling with this void in their lives. Stay strong, knowing his legacy lives on through you.

Dear Patterson family:  Your family was always so great at sharing your lives with all of Becky’s Midd friends. While we send our special love and prayers to Becky, we also remember fondly so many of the rest of you.  Bill was the quintessential older brother — we thought he was so cool and knowing.  Dr. P, thanks for all of times you let us share in VT. Linda — I remember a long drive to somewhere in the late 70’s where I felt we made such a connection.  So much shared so long go; such strong and enduring memories today.  Sending you my fond hopes for finding some peace and meaning in all of this.  Best — Mary Kate

Thank you all for all of your support and caring messages, phone calls, hugs, and more. It means more than I can say - for me, my family, and all of us.  Reading all of these posts and seeing all of your appreciative comments together is a true gift. thank you again - Joshua

I have posted a poem below that someone once passed  along to me when a close friend of mine died suddenly.  Ironically, he was also a physician in the prime of us life.  Very much like Bill, he was a carefree and loving person who always looked out for his friends and family.  I have had a the honor of working with Bill over the past 12 years with both OH+R and Concentra.  I considered him a friend.  He was a person anyone would be proud to be associated with.  He will be missed greatly.  There are many great memories of working with Bill and somehow when I reflect on those memories, I find myself smiling and laughing.  Bill you will be missed.    Maria Perry

Gone but Not Forgotten  (written by Kelsey Sheppard)

You were so full of life,
Always smiling and carefree,
Life loved you being a part of it,
And we loved you being a part of our family.
You could make anyone laugh,
If they were having a bad day,
No matter how sad we were,
You could take the hurt away.
Nothing could ever stop you,
Or even make you fall,
You were ready to take on the world,
Ready to do it all.
But God decided he needed you,
So from this world you left,
But you took a piece of all of us,
Our hearts are what you kept.
Your seat is now empty,
And it’s hard not to see your face,
But please always know this,
No one will ever take your place.
You left without a warning,
Not even saying good-bye,
And we can’t seem to stop,
Asking the question why?
Nothing will ever be the same,
The halls are empty without your laughter,
But we know you’re in Heaven,
Watching over us and looking after.
We didn’t see this coming,
It hit us by surprise,
And when you left this world,
A small part of us died.
Your smile could brighten anyone’s day,
No matter what they were going through,
And we know everyday for the rest of our life,
We’ll be missing you.

Bill,
We will miss you tremendously…you’ve left such a large hole and I’m not ready to be oldest When I sail I will think of you and know that you are watching with glee. Love, Becky

I am so very sorry for your loss.  Bill and I trained together at Boston City Hospital and both eventually went into occupational health practice.  He was always an inspiration - smart, energetic, compassionate, everything you could want in a colleague.  Because he was in Chicago for another meeting last week, he went out of his way to arrange to come meet with the UIC residents and clinical faculty to share his wisdom and guidance in a joyful interaction that will shape their careers; it was pure Bill.  I feel so blessed to have had that opportunity to see him again.  In the middle of the session, he got a call and looked and saw that it was a family member - and excused himself, clearly conveying his priority and his happiness with that priority.  You were and I’m sure still are his center.

Rosie Sokas

You had a way about you that was so reassuring. You walked me through things and had me laughing at the end. I will miss your witty demeanor and your charm. You took the time with everyone even if your day was busy. You had that “dad” quality about you. I will miss you and when I hear James Blunt it will bring a smile to my face because it will remind me of you.(He looked like an older version of him to me). I am glad you thought the comparison was funny and I was able to make YOU smile. God Bless you

To his family..thank-you for sharing him with us. He was a special man. God Bless you at this time and my prayers are with you.

For the several years I had the privilege to work with Dr. Patterson, that’s who he was “Dr. Patterson”. In the last year I had a rare opportunity to have breakfast with him while his cell phone was being fixed (We all know he could not function without that). During that brief time I got to know the man behind the Dr.  Since that day it went from Dr. Patterson to Bill.

 Bill you will be missed greatly.

Dear Bill’s family,

Bill and I taught together for so many fun-filled years and managed to share brief moments discussing politics, life, our children, and the meaning of love. I’ll miss Bill’s presence in the Boston occupational health scene. He had a tremendous impact on those of us in the field by constantly reminding us of the ethical covenant that we as physicians in general and occupational providers in particular needed to adhere. Bill was a fine, fine man and he will be sorely missed.

Altho ten years younger than me, Bill was my mentor. He convinced me to take a major change in my professional life from Primary care to Occupational Medicine. He was always available for advice, and I personally will miss his expertise, humor, and friendship.

Bill was a powerful influence in my life from 1990 onward. There was so much to admire in the way he conducted his professional life. He taught me many skills that I use to this day.
He modeled for us all a life of commitment to his craft, to the organizations that supported his craft, and to the science on which it is founded.
He and I disagreed–sometimes vehemently–but always with utmost respect for one another. I am grateful that he trusted our relationship enough to bring that level of passion into our disagreements. I am grateful to have known him. - Steve McCloy

As you all know, dear brother Bill died Monday morning, apparently just before he would have woken up.  Jan and Aaron did everything they could to revive him, as did the policemen and medics who arrived shortly thereafter …  but to no avail.  We are all in disbelief, shock and pain that such a vital, loving, healthy person and wonderful friend could be lost to us all so suddenly. 

As you can see, Bill’s son Josh has set up this web site, aka blog, for all of us to share information and memories over the coming days/weeks/months.  In brief, you have two options for posting thoughts or photos: 1) create a log-in (very simple) and then “post” or “publish” things or 2) comment on someone else’s posting.  The first type of entry will be posted for all to see in the sequential thread (”WBP Posts”) and searchable via full text or category keywords that you assign; the second will create comments that will be nested under/below the posting that you’ve commented on. 

The question you may all be asking is about a service and the current answer is - we are aiming in the process of organizing one for later this week (most likely, Saturday, but possibly Friday or Sunday).  As soon as we have made some plans, we will post something on this site. 

In the meantime, we welcome your contributions to this site, be they photos or spontaneous thoughts, and we will seek to incorporate them into our service for our brother. 

yours in loving memory of Bill, Stu

In Memory of William Bradford Patterson. Thank you for all of the many blessing you have brought our lives. You will live on through all of us and may you enjoy peace in eternity. Much love always - your son & family & community.