I have had the great fortune of knowing Patrick since the early 1990's. Watching him turn into a great birder and leader was amazing. The hours that he and his mother spent in the field were rewarded with wonderful finds and pictures. This tragedy will be felt by all who have had the pleasure of knowing Patrick. Being a fellow member of the Tahoma Audubon Society, he will be dearly missed in our community.
I was out at Ocean Shores today and was expecting to cross paths with Patrick and Ruth. It will not be the same in our birding world without Patrick. Ruth, you and Patrick are in my thoughts.

Bruce LaBar
Tacoma, WA.
blabar at harbornet.com