David Anthony Patterson departed the world he loved on Feb. 23, one day shy of his 95th birthday. Rita Ann Holtzapfel Patterson, his beloved wife of 72 years, left to join him the very next day, on Feb. 24, possibly because she didn’t trust the angels to bake him a birthday cake that met her high standards as the namesake of Rita’s Bakery in Knoxville.
Known as Dave by his Knoxville friends and acquaintances and Tony by friends and family in their hometown of Ironton, Ohio, Mr. Patterson was a bright light of love, compassion, generosity, and humor. Rita, a mere 4-feet, 9-inches tall at her zenith, was known for her talents, beautiful smile, sense of style, and enviable cooking and baking skills.
Mr. Patterson was a U.S. Navy veteran with service in Hawaii and Korea. He received his economics doctorate from Indiana University and moved Mrs. Patterson and their five children to Knoxville 60 years ago for an assistant professorship at the University of Tennessee.
A long and illustrious career followed, including senior roles at TVA, the Tennessee Technology Foundation, the board of directors for the former St. Mary’s Hospital, and start-up assistance for numerous small businesses before he returned to UT for his final position as the head of the School of Planning and Architecture.
Mrs. Patterson served in numerous volunteer activities in the community, including support of the Fountain City ballpark, where Mr. Patterson coached girls softball, and local Catholic charities. In her later years, she helped her children establish Rita’s Bakery in Fountain City, sharing her wonderful recipes and continuing to frost cakes for numerous Knoxville celebrations.
Mr. and Mrs. Patterson enjoyed using the St. Mary’s Fitness Center to maintain their active lifestyle in their senior years, and Dave ran in nearly every Knoxville Track Club race for decades, collecting drawers full of event T-shirts, complaining about the “youngsters” beating him in the seniors division as he aged, and relishing an occasional stress test.
Mr. Patterson possessed a green thumb and loved nothing better than collecting a bouquet from the yard to present to his wife. Both sang in the choir and served in many ways at Holy Ghost Church, St. Joseph School, Knoxville Catholic High School, and the Ladies of Charity for decades. They also loved going to St. Albert the Great Church in Halls until infirmities prevented them from their near-daily attendance at Mass.
They collected and maintained numerous friendships and loved going with groups of their friends to hike Mount LeConte and vacation in Hatteras, N.C., annually for many years. Mr. Patterson was an avid fisherman and could surf fish for days (and nights) if the red drum and bluefish were running. Many good times and lots of healthy outdoor work were also had at Beulah Land and Trinity Farm, which they owned and worked jointly with friends.
The Pattersons are survived by their five children, David (Martha) Patterson, Greg (Nola) Patterson, Theresa (Kevin) Walsh, Monica Bailey, and Michael (Sara) Patterson; three grandchildren, Rose and Sara Ruther and Caitlin Patterson; three great-grandchildren, Sylv and Holly Webb and Fox Wilson; Mrs. Patterson’s siblings, Tiny Newman, Karen Neal, and Bob (Gail) Holtzapfel; and Mr. Patterson’s sister, MaryFaith Patterson; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Special recognition and thanks are due for neighbors Benny and Katie Nelson, whose daily visits brightened their final years; helpers, Shawna, Susan, Paula, and Tracy; and the staff of Smoky Mountain Hospice, who supported the family in ensuring Mr. and Mrs. Patterson were able to remain in the home they loved until the end.
Donations in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Patterson may be made to Ladies of Charity, ladiesofcharityknox.org, and Alzheimer’s Association of Tennessee, www.alztennessee.org.
A funeral Mass for Mr. and Mrs. Patterson was celebrated at Holy Ghost Church on March 3, with Father Chris Michelson serving as the celebrant and Father John Orr serving as the concelebrant. A burial service followed at Greenwood Cemetery.
