North Auroran left mark, as soldier and musician
By Erika Wurst ewurst@stmedianetwork.com January 9, 2012 10:00AM
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Updated: March 24, 2012 11:45PM
As his body and the bodies of three other Indiana National Guardsmen have been returned to the United States, Army Spc. Christopher A. Patterson of North Aurora is being remembered for his bravery, and his love of music.
Patterson, a 2009 West Aurora High School graduate, and three other members of his National Guard unit were killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan on Friday.
Members of their 713th Engineer Company publicly grieved the loss of their military brothers on Facebook.
“These are dark days indeed, but there is a God who has a plan and purpose though we do not understand it,” a soldier wrote. “ ... There are many tears, but there are many more jokes, laughs and precious memories shared. We continue our mission, both for our heroes who have gone ahead and for those forces that need us now.”
“He was not afraid to die. He knew what he needed to do,” Christopher’s father, Bob Patterson, said Monday evening.
Music teacher in the making
At Valparaiso University, where the 20-year-old Patterson was studying music education, another community grieves.
The undergrad took a leave from his studies in November to deploy with his National Guard unit — but not before making his mark on campus. Valparaiso President Mark A. Heckler said Monday that Patterson was involved in many activities, including ROTC, the chorale and Phi Mu Alpha — the school’s music fraternity.
He also performed with VuVox, Valparaiso’s male a cappella group.
Scott Ochander, the university’s vice president for marketing communications, described Patterson as a leader. He said professors will remember the soldier as a thoughtful and sensitive young man whose musical career was beginning to flourish.
“As he progressed in his studies, his potential to become an excellent music educator was obvious,” Ochander said. “He will be sorely missed by his peers and his professors.”
The university is organizing a memorial service, though details have not been finalized. Classes resume today after winter break, and students are returning to campus.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Patterson family and to Chris’ friends in this time of mourning,” Heckler said. “Chris ... did not hesitate to answer the call of service to his country and gave his life to protect others. We pray that God brings strength, comfort and peace to his family and friends.”
Community unites
“Chris was one of those students who was destined to be great,” said Jon McLear, Fine Arts Department chairman at West High. Patterson played trombone, guitar and the organ, and sang in West’s A Cappella Choir.
“He always did everything to the best of his ability — especially when it came to music,” McLear said. “He was a gifted and passionate musician who will continue to inspire me for the rest of my life.”
West Aurora School District officials said that they have met with the Patterson family, and “are doing whatever we can to comfort them and to assist in making arrangements to celebrate Chris’ life.”
North Aurora Village President Dale Berman said that the village is also making plans to honor the soldier.
Patterson’s name will be added to the village’s recently erected veterans memorial. Another North Auroran, Marine 1st Lt. Timothy Ryan, was killed in Iraq in June 2003.
“It’s great that we have those that are willing to serve, but it is terrible when they make that sacrifice of their lives,” Berman said Monday. “We need to support and comfort the (Patterson) family during difficult time, and I extend to them my deepest sympathy. ... We are happy that we can honor him in some way.”
Services pending
The Rev. Ron Weidler of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Batavia said that although funeral arrangements have not been made, services will take pace at the Batavia church and interment will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Joliet.
As he remembered Patterson on Monday, Weidler recalled a special moment he had with the young man several years ago.
After Patterson fought with a high school classmate, he showed up to church on Sunday where parishioners began to pray for him, Weidler said. It was then the teen made a strange request.
“I told him we were praying for him, and he said, ‘Pastor, I’m OK, you need to pray for that kid who hit me. He needs the prayers.’”
Christopher Patterson came from family that was “military strong.” His father is retired from the Navy, and his mother, who works for the West Aurora School District, is a in the Navy Reserve.
His younger brother, Carl Patterson, a 2010 West High graduate, was scheduled to graduate from Marine boot camp on Friday.
When Christopher Patterson was given the option to continue his studies or deploy with his unit to Afghanistan, he didn’t miss a blink.
“He said, ‘Wait a minute, I didn’t join to have my tuition paid, I want to go with my unit and serve,’” Weidler recalled. “He left 11-11-11, and sadly didn’t come home alive.”
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