Patric McDonald

Born in Evansville, Indiana, on September 23, 1938, Patric was the second of four sons born to the late Noah and Dorothy McDonald.

He grew up on the west side of Evansville and graduated from F.J. Reitz High School. Seeking to realize his dream of earning a college education, Patric enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1957. His military service took him to England, where he was stationed at RAF Shepherds Grove and RAF Fairford near Gloucester. While overseas, he attended a local dance where he met Patricia "Trish" Walden.

They married at St. James’ Church in Gloucester in 1959, starting a great life that spanned over six decades and multiple continents. In 2009, Patric and Trish returned to that very church to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

Following his Air Force service, Patric returned to Indiana and realized his goal, graduating from the University of Evansville with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1967. Upon graduation, he began his engineering career with General Electric in Owensboro, Kentucky. Patric and Trish settled in Newburgh, Indiana, where they raised their three children and built deep community roots.

In 1986, Patric and Trish embarked on an exciting new chapter, moving west to Granite Bay, California, where his entrepreneurial adventure began. A gifted electrical engineer specializing in microwave communications, Patric became an integral part of several successful tech startups built around his numerous patented innovations. His groundbreaking microwave and radio designs left an enduring mark on modern technology—with his equipment sent to the moon and installed atop world-famous landmarks, including the Sears Tower and the World Trade Center.

Over the course of his career, his work took him across the globe, traveling extensively to Seattle, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego; Gander, Newfoundland; the Caribbean islands of Anguilla, Saba, and Saint Martin; Scotland, Berlin, Norway, and Switzerland; Israel; and across Asia to India, China, Japan, and the Philippines. He retired in 2020 and moved back home to Southern Indiana.

Above all his professional accomplishments, Patric was devoted to his family and would help anyone with any project at any time. He had a love for golf and travel. He remained a devoted, loving husband until Trish’s passing on May 3, 2026.

Patric is survived by his three children: Mark P. McDonald (Deidre Wesley), Karen E. Bertholf (Susheel Kumar), and Janel L. McDonald (Derek Ruecker).

He was a proud and loving grandfather to Ryan McDonald (Lindsay), Michael McDonald (Valerie Kappert), Daniel Bertholf, Katie Varadi (Zachary), Ashley Bertholf, and Evan Saab; and a cherished great-grandfather to Mila McDonald and Wyatt Varadi.

He is also survived by his brother, Mark McDonald (Ann); his sister-in-law, Marlene Pugh; his brother-in-law, Edwin “Ted” Walden; his loving and faithful caregivers, Shaina Bowman and Pat Stinson; along with many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends both in the United States and England.

In addition to his beloved wife, Trish, and his parents, Patric was preceded in death by his brothers, Noel McDonald (Sandy) and David McDonald (Brenda), and his great-grandson, Liam Varadi.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 8701 Big Cynthiana Road, Evansville, Indiana.

A prayer service during interment will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at St. Paul’s UCC Cemetery, 8701 Big Cynthiana Road, Evansville, Indiana.

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.