Robert Joseph Patterson

Robert Joseph Patterson, 61, resident of Raleigh, NC, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, January 12, 2021. Born in Ridley Park, PA on February 27, 1959 to the late Margarethe Mohl Patterson and A. Frederick Patterson, he was a graduate of the Ridley High School Class of 1977 and the Temple University Class of 1983, where he studied Mechanical Engineering.

Rob was always fascinated in knowing how things work. His career took him to the field of manufacturing and industrial robotics. He enjoyed programming and troubleshooting a variety of robots and installed numerous robotic systems for many different companies. Over his 40 years in manufacturing, he had an adventurous career that took him and his family to Bristol, CT, Saratoga Springs, NY, Greencastle, PA, Bellefonte, PA, Burlington NJ, and finally Raleigh, NC where he enjoyed the mild winters and eating on his back porch in January.

He was a volunteer leader with the Boy Scouts of America from Tiger Cubs in 1990 up through his son’s achievement of Eagle in 2003. He, himself, enjoyed years of scouting in Woodlyn, PA Troop 43.

He met the love of his life, Jill Curtiss, in 1978. They married on May 23, 1981. He enjoyed coaching in the Greencastle Baseball-Softball Assn for both his son and daughter. He had the opportunity to assistant coach his daughter’s traveling team that made it to the National Tournament in Gadsden, Alabama in 2000.

Perhaps his most and best loved hobby was that of model railroading which he shared with his dad from a young age. He was a member of the Train Collectors’ Assn (TCA) and attended the Meet in York, PA during the spring and fall of each year. He successfully converted his wife into the hobby by having her collect Dept. 56, Christmas in the City buildings that created a wonderful train platform that was enjoyed by family, friends and neighbors over the years. His outdoor Christmas display always included an animated and lighted train that the neighborhood children enjoyed. His love of model railroading led to a myriad of vacations to include scenic railroads around the USA.

Survivors include his wife, of nearly 40 years, Jill Curtiss Patterson of Raleigh, NC, 2 children, Robert Joseph Patterson, Jr. of Rovaniemi, Finland, a daughter, Margot Patterson Williams (Lauren) of Durham, NC and a grandson, Bayden Pyry Patterson of Finland, 2 sisters, Margot Patterson Yotter (Arthur) of Pennsylvania, Kathryn Patterson Fernandez (John) of Pennsylvania, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Because of Covid-19 restrictions, there will be no visitation at this time. The family is tentatively planning a Celebration of Life in the spring with a date to be determined. Cremation is being handled by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary, NC.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his name to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.