Thornton B. Patberg

Thornton “Pat” Patberg, a long-time resident of Evansville, died at home on June 11, 2020. Pat was born August 19, 1930, on a farm near Stendal, IN, to John and Lydia Patberg. Pat was a graduate of Stendal High School and earned a BA from Evansville College (1948) and an MA from Indiana University (1954).

He began his career as a teacher and coach at Luce Township High School, Richland, IN (1952-1954), where he was the last person in Indiana to be a head coach for five varsity sports, followed by two years at Owensville High School, where he coached basketball. In June, 1957, he began a 39-year career at the University of Evansville (Evansville College) where he was first Director of Admissions, then Vice President of Student Affairs and finally Vice President of Development. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University in 2005.

Pat served on numerous community boards and committees including the Vanderburgh County Tax Adjustment Board, Evansville Blind Association Board, Breckenridge Job Corp Board, Evansville Community Foundation Board, Greenway Passage Committee, Student Aids and Counseling Foundation, and various committees at the Methodist Temple. He was elected president of the Indiana Association of Admissions Counselors and treasurer of the National Association of Admissions Counselors.

Pat was an active member of Green River Kiwanis. He was Distinguished President of Green River Kiwanis, Distinguished Lieutenant Governor of the Southwind Division, and Distinguished Governor of the Indiana Division of Kiwanis International.

Pat loved people, Kiwanis, Methodist Temple, University of Evansville Purple Aces, nature (hunting, fishing, gardening), bridge, dancing, antiquing and travel (50 states and 30 countries).

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, four brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his wife Melba (Meyer) of 66 years; three children—Lisa (Anthony) Goodwin of Evansville, Kurt (Sue) Patberg of Atlanta, GA, and Gregg Patberg of Evansville; three grandchildren—Luc Patberg, Tye Patberg and Keith (Sylvia) Goodwin; and one great grandson Mason Goodwin.

Pat requested that memorial contributions be made to the Patberg Scholarship at the University of Evansville, a fund at the Methodist Temple, or the Green River Kiwanis Foundation.

A short, casual memorial service will be held at the Methodist Temple, 2109 Lincoln Avenue, in the garden, west of the building, at 6:30 p.m. CDT on June 14, 2020, with no seating provided. Parking is available at Alexander East Chapel. Social distancing and masks will be expected and the responsibility of those attending.