Diane was born in Kansas City, MO on May 24, 1948. She graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School. She earned a BA in Political Science, Kansas State University (KSU), Manhattan, KS, and MA in Comparative Politics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. Diane attended American University’s The Washington Semester Program and Ibero Americana University in Mexico City. At KSU, she joined the Chi Omega sorority.
Diane married her soul mate and best friend, Robert Lee Patrick, on February 7, 1970. They were married for 45 years until Bob’s death in 2015.
Diane devoted her career to public service, working in governmental and nonprofit sectors to empower disinvested communities through innovative approaches to meet community need. She focused on public benefit administration with the state of Missouri for 23 years, taking pride in developing the FUTURES program in Kansas City, a groundbreaking, community-based public-private partnership for welfare reform recognized by President Clinton. She also worked for national community development intermediaries for 15 years, including Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and NeighborWorks America (NWA), to revitalize disinvested urban and rural communities. Diane spearheaded cutting edge capacity building and planning programs in Kansas City and nationally.
Diane was a “people person,” known for friendship. She found her true voice in advocating for others throughout her career and by volunteering and supporting nonprofits. She served on the KSU Foundation Board of Trustees, KSU College of Arts & Sciences Alumnae Advisory Council, Linda Hall Library President’s Circle, and GreenWorks of Kansas City. She enjoyed travel, theater, KSU Wildcat football, gardening and duplicate bridge.
Diane was preceded in death by her mother, Clarissa L. (Gilmore) Sawyer, father, Robert C. Sawyer and her nephew Joshua Patrick.
Diane is survived by sister-in-law, Jane Patrick, of Topeka, KS, brother-in-law, Jim Eisenbrandt (Lou) of Leawood, KS, brother-in-law Dave Eisenbrandt (Carolyn) of Parker, CO and as well as nieces and nephews Doug Eisenbrandt (Melissa), Laura Eisenbrandt, Luke Patrick (Christine), Elise Patrick, Jennifer Christensen (Matt) and Matt Eisenbrandt (Genevieve Hillsburg) and niece-in-law Jennifer Patrick; nine great-nieces and nephews, and an extended family of cousins, friends and colleagues.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 21st, 2026, at The Linda Hall Library, 5109 Cherry, Kansas City MO, 64110. Please note that due to the fragile books and artifacts on display in the library, we respectfully request this celebration be attended by those over the age of ten.
In lieu of flowers, Diane requested that contributions be made to one of the following organizations:
The Kansas State University Foundation Cheryl "Diane" Patrick Memorial Fund in support of the Linford-Patrick Professorship in Political Science Clean Air Warrior Excellence Funds. Contributions may be sent to: KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave., Ste 200, Manhattan, KS 66502, please indicate fund M47539. To make a gift online, go to www.ksufoundation.org/give/memorials
The Linda Hall Science Library and Arboretum, 5109 Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO 61440, https://www.lindahall.org/support/give-now/
Kansas City Hospice, 9001 State Line Road, Suite 300, Kansas City, MO 64114, https://kchospice.org/donate/
