T. Keith Patrick

T. Keith Patrick a long-time resident of Bellevue, WA., passed-away from cancer on 12/1/11 at his home with family by his side. Keith was born July in 1933 to Theodore and Bernice Patrick in Wallace, Idaho. He followed his family around the back roads and small towns of eastern Washington before moving westward for college at the University of Washington. Graduating in 1957 he pursued a career in the financial industry as a CPA and later a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch where he worked for over 30 years.

He and his wife Janet started a family and settled in Bellevue in 1962. He fly-fished rivers all over the Northwest, Canada and Alaska. He coached soccer, volunteered in Scouting, and reported financial news on KOMO Radio for many years.

Through his involvement in FIUTS, a student foreign exchange program, the family sponsored dozens of graduate level students at the University of Washington. Many celebrated the holidays with the Patricks and most Thanksgivings were celebrations of world culture.

He donated handsomely to many charities, schools and individual students over the years. One scholarship he co-founded was the Dr. Charles H. Mitchell Fund for Excellence at Seattle Central Community College. It alone has allowed over 100 students to attend SCCC in the short time since it's creation.

He was involved in local gardening groups like the Arboretum Foundation, the Northwest Horticulture Society, The Northwest Perennial Alliance, the Rhododendron Species Garden, the Chase Garden and the Bellevue Botanical Garden where he volunteered time, energy and resources. With his wife and friends he was able to travel the world visiting gardens on six continents and taking thousands of photos along the way.

He played many roles and touched many lives of people near and far. He is survived by his wife Janet, his Selah HS sweetheart and partner of 54 years, one brother, two sons and four grandkids. Keith will be missed especially for his great sense of humor, his contagiously loud laugh and his gift for gab. We all know our lives will be a bit too quiet with his passing.

A celebration of Keith's life will be held at Saint Andrew's Lutheran Church in Bellevue on Saturday, 12/17 at 11:00 a.m. with reception to follow. The family requests in lieu of flowers, please support the one of Keith's favorite charities. Remembrances may be shared at www.sunsethillsfuneralhome.com