GROVE CITY —
Walter Darby Patterson of 413 Maple St., Grove City, passed away at 6:40 a.m. Wednesday (9-5-12), in his residence. He was 49.
Mr. Patterson was born Feb. 4, 1963, in Grove City to Walter “Pat” Patterson and Colleen Marie McCluskey Patterson.
A 1981 alumnus of Grove City High School, he graduated in 1991 from Slippery Rock University, with a bachelor of science degree, and in 2000 with a master of arts degree from Edinboro University.
Mr. Patterson was employed as director of environmental health and safety at Edinboro University.
His experience in firefighting and emergency services was vast, serving as a firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT), Springfield Fire Department, 1978-83; Seneca Fire Department, 1983-85; and Sandy Lake Fire Department, 1987-89; an EMT with Grove City Rescue, 1978-80; Chief of Community Ambulance, Oil City Station 2, assistant training director, 1981-85; continuing education coordinator, Venango County EMS, 1982-85; rescue chief, Sandy Lake Department of Public Safety, 1989-90; a firefighter with Stoneboro Fire Company, 1990-94, and assistant chief in 1995; and was currently a volunteer Grove City firefighter.
Mr. Patterson was a Protestant.
Active in numerous professional and civic organizations, his memberships include American Industrial Hygiene Association; Eta Sigma Gamma, Health Science Honorary; Mercer County Fire Chiefs Association, Mercer County Historical Society, Northeastern Ohio Safety Council, 19th Ohio Light Artillery, Slippery Rock University Alumni Association; Sons of the American Revolution, New Castle Chapter; St. Elizabeth Medical Center Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Committee; Edinboro University equestrian team advisor, 2002 to the present; Campus Emergency Response Team; Risk Management Insurance Program officer; and belonged to the American Society of Safety Engineers, having served as treasurer of the SRU Student Chapter, 1989 and 1990.
Surviving are: his mother, at the residence; his daughter, Meghan Elizabeth Patterson, Stoneboro; and a sister, Heather Baker; and a nephew, Graham Michael Baker, both Grove City.
He was preceded in death by his father, Walter Patterson, on Sept. 14, 2005, and his maternal and paternal grandparents.
Calling hours are 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday (9-9-12) in Cunningham Funeral Home Inc., 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City.
Funeral service at 11 a.m. Monday (9-10-12) in the funeral home with Pastor Rusty Stuart of Highland Presbyterian Church, Slippery Rock, officiating.
Interment in Oak Hill Cemetery, Sandy Lake Township.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grove City Community Library, 125 W. Main St.; or Grove City Fire Station No. 95, 146 N. Broad St., both Grove City, PA 16127.
Published Sept. 8, 2012 in Allied News. Pick up a copy at 201A Erie St., Grove City.
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