Birth date: Jun 23, 1952 Death date: Sep 19, 2025
Donald L. Patterson, known to all as Don, 73, of Annapolis, died peacefully in Baltimore, MD, on September 19, 2025, after a brief illness. Born June 23, 1952, in Buffalo, NY, to the late Hubert and Deloris (Vaske) Patterson, Don Read Obituary
Don was a really good photographer. As he and Patti were preparing to move from their longtime home in Arnold, he invited our Chalice Circle members to choose a favorite photo. I chose the robin in the snow. Robins are cheerful and optimistic. So was Don. Patti, I'm holding you and the family in the light. Ellen
Phil Reynolds
I knew Don as a Mediator. He was uniquely suited for this role and he made the most of it. His modesty and humility did not keep him from rigorously pursuing the methodology to bring the parties in his mediations to a better understanding of each other’s desires and needs. He was low profile but very much present.
I think his approach to mediation, like his approach to life, was based on basic love and respect for every human being. He was a man of all seasons with interests in travel, nature, photography, religion, social justice and sports – I regret that we never had that tennis match we promised each other.
My thoughts go out to Patti and family on the loss of one of the finest individuals I have ever known.
One of my favorite memories of Don is also one of my earliest, when we were on a photo outing and were trying to arrange a second meet-up. I proposed a date but he remarked that he couldn't make that day, explaining, "I have an anger management class that afternoon." I was quite taken aback, thinking, "This has got to be the last guy in the world who needs an anger management class!" I of course did not realize at the time that he was TEACHING it.
I cherish the hours we spent together, whether just strolling in Annapolis, taking photos, or poring over his computer as I maddeningly tried in vain to help him navigate the intricacies of his photo-editing software. He was not a technology person... and he'd grin at the understatement. But it didn't matter: the time together was always congenial and well-spent.
Don was a man without guile or anger, and a first-rate mediator as a result. He made me wish that I was more like him.
