It is with great sadness that the family of Dr. David Hales Patten of Norwell announces his death on August 22, 2021, at the age of 92 years. While his death was unexpected, Dave had struggled with advanced Parkinson’s Disease for several years.
He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Jennifer Patten of South Yarmouth, Arthur Patten of Framingham, and Richard Patten and wife, Elizabeth Patten of Wellesley, along with close family friend, Dr. Julia Carson. He leaves behind two grandchildren, Grace Patten currently of Hammonton, NJ, her fiancé, Nick Carnesale, and Benjamin Patten of Chatham along with his son, Dave’s great-grandchild, Henry David Patten. He also leaves behind the Roelke and Officer families in Frederick, Maryland.
Dave was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Jeanne Watkins Patten who died in 2018. Before graduating from medical school, he was also predeceased by his brothers Bill and Dick, and parents, Gladstone Frederick Patten and Florence Hales Patten.
Dave was born and raised in Catonsville Maryland on November 4, 1928. He attended Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College) and went to medical school at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. During his senior year, he met his bride to be, Jeanne Watkins also a University of Maryland graduate (School of Nursing); they were married in 1954. The young couple lived and worked in Baltimore while he trained at University of Maryland Hospital in Internal Medicine. He then served his country as a captain in the Air Force moving with Jeanne and his young family to Newport News, Virginia. In 1959, Dave and his family moved to Norwell, Massachusetts where he pursued a fellowship in Endocrinology and Metabolism at New England Medical Center in Boston. His career path led him to the Boston VA hospital in Jamaica Plain where he acquired further training with radioisotopes. This field gradually evolved into a diagnostic specialty known as Nuclear Medicine. Dave was a respected member of the Staff of the Boston VA hospital and Society of Nuclear Medicine throughout his medical career. In his free time, particularly in the latter part of his career, Dave became an avid wood carver and presented several carved shore birds and waterfowl in national shows.
Dave dedicated most of his free time to home, family and church. He and his wife, Jeanne, were among the first members of the United Church of Christ in Norwell. As long-standing members, they performed numerous leadership roles in the church and dedicated their lives to the betterment of everyone around them, participating in countless charitable functions throughout their association with the Church. During their retirement, Dave and Jeanne continued to work tirelessly, providing services for local organizations such as Meals on Wheels and going on “Food Runs” for local food pantries and Father Bill’s homeless shelter in Quincy. Dave will be lovingly remembered for his great sense of humor, his unfailing dedication to family and faith, as well as always saying and doing what was right.
A Memorial and Prayer Service will be held at the United Church of Christ in Norwell on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 11:00 AM. An Internment ceremony will follow the service within the Memorial Rose Garden at the Church.
Memorial Donations may be made in David Patten’s name to the United Church of Christ, Norwell.
The family wishes to send a special thank you to Dave’s special caregivers who cared for him before his passing including Fay, Jascinth, Patrice and Jazmyn. Their kindness, respect and compassion were unequaled for which Dave’s family will be forever grateful.
