Andy J. Patterson

Dr. Andy J. Patterson, 76, passed away the morning of September 21st at Hendrick Medical Center. Dr. Andy J. Patterson, professor of music theory and composition, head of that department, and professor of woodwinds, began his career at HSU in 1959. His 40-year tenure was among the longest of University faculty. Dr. Patterson honored our University with his expertise, passion, and a profound sense of humor. Dr. Patterson earned both the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Texas Christian University, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Florida State University. Before joining the faculty at HSU, he served on the music faculties at Texas Christian University, Florida State University, Georgia Teacher's College, and Florida A&M. A nominee for the U.S. Professors of the Year award in 1999, Dr. Patterson was honored by his colleagues with the Cullen Professor Award for Teaching in 1980 and the Cullen Professor Award for Research-Creativity in 1984. He is the only HSU faculty member to receive this award twice. He was nominated on several occasions for the prestigious Stevens Piper Award and the Council for the Advancement of Education (CASE) Award. He was honored with the Orpheus Award by Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and was the recipient of the Texas Composers League Composition Prize in 1969. Dr. Patterson's compositions, poems, and articles have been performed and published throughout the United States and Canada. He received a commission, from the HSU Centennial Committee, to compose a work in honor of the University's 100th birthday, performed in 1991. He composed his first melody at age 5 and began teaching private lessons at age 13. He counted the musical giant Arnold Schoenberg among his teachers. He toured with the Roger Wagner Chorale as bassoonist throughout Egypt, Iraq, Turkey, Israel and Europe, and has worked with such musical luminaries as Igor Stravinsky, Hector Villa Lobos, and Carlos Chavez. Dr. Patterson attended First Central Presbyterian Church and is survived by his wife of 42 years, the former Beverly Jane Shaw, of Abilene and three sons Andy J. Patterson, Jr. of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Michael and Philip Patterson, both of Bedford, Texas. Dr. Patterson was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew E. Patterson and Ida Kate Fulfer Patterson. The family will receive friends for a visitation on Thursday, September 29, 2005 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the family home, 1642 Swenson Street. Memorial services will be held on Friday, September 30, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. at The Logsdon Chapel at Hardin-Simmons University, under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Memorials can be made in honor of Dr. Patterson to the organ fund at The First Central Presbyterian Church, 400 Orange, Abilene, TX 79601.