Tweeters (and Ruth):

Patrick's passing is quite a tragedy. My sincere condolences go to Ruth. I had no idea of the disorder and he always seemed in the best of health. Yet again this year, I am reminded how fragile life really is...

Patrick clearly made his mark in our local birding community, overcoming the initial skepticism shown to younger birders reporting rarities from outside the castle walls, as it were. Like many of us, he passed through the gauntlet over the years. Apart from the skills he honed, he and Ruth just seemed to overcome the doubts with sheer intensity and field effort--especially marked by Ruth's photos and the many confirmed sightings--like no one else I can think of in the community. The unshakable enthusiasm for the endeavor that he had was most memorable.

My favorite memory was the coastal gathering for the Sullivan's Temminck's Stint. Like other times when I saw Patrick, even though it had been some time since we'd seen each other, our conversation seem to pick up right where we'd left off. He took the time to relocate the bird for all comers, and the find became a great opportunity to check in with old friends-in-the-field.

Patrick, we hardly knew ye, and you will be missed.

Scott AtkinsonLake Stevens
mail to: scottratkinson at hotmail.com




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