Robert Paterson
Service:
Thursday, January 17, 2008
4:00 PM
Trinity Episcopal Church
Oshkosh, WI 54901



Robert (Bob) Chamberlin Paterson died at his residence on January 14, 2008. He was born in Oshkosh on February 18, 1922, the son of George Ernest and Gertrude Chamberlin Paterson. After graduating from Oshkosh High School, he entered the Army Air Force in 1942. He served his country in the China, Burma, India (CBI) theatre during World War II. He survived three plane crashes, received the Army Air Force Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Presidential Union Citation. Following the military service, he entered the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Master of Fine Arts degrees.
Bob began his teaching career of art education in Grand Rapids, MI., then Western Illinois University, and University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He became the Director of Art Education of the Oshkosh Area school system in 1958 until his retirement in 1985. He was a member of the Wisconsin Art Education Association and served as its president from 1961-1963. His artwork was exhibited statewide and he was a prize winner in the 1960 Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors show.
He was united in marriage to Elizabeth (Betty) Buckstaff Stone on August 10, 1961 at Trinity Episcopal Church, Oshkosh. At Trinity he served on the vestry and as Junior Warden.
Service to the community included being a member of the Lakeshore Kiwanis Club, Lieutenant Governor of Division Thirteen of the Kiwanis organization and a driver for Meals on Wheels. He was a member of the Senior Citizen Board, the Fox Valley Investment Clubs, and the Board of Directors for the Oshkosh Chamber Singers. He also served on the Oshkosh Public Museum Board from 1981 – 1991 and as its president from 1987 to 1991.
He is survived by his wife and children, Robert B. of Oshkosh, Anne C. of Chicago and R. Daniel and Martha of Washington, D.C.
A Burial Service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church on Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. The Rev. Steven Powers will officiate. Friends may greet the family following the service at the church.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations may be given to Trinity Episcopal Church, the Oshkosh Public Museum Endowment Fund through the Oshkosh Foundation, or to the Affinity Visiting Nurses Hospice program.