Bob and I were best friends from first grade until he was killed in Viet Nam trying to check on a fellow officer shot in a clearing. He was a true friend; someone you could always count on. In high school he starred in the play " Our Town".
I first met Bob in senior English. Each day at lunch, he, a couple of other guys (can't remember who though), and I would hang out on the senior lawn at lunch. It was during those times that they taught me to appreciate and love the quick quip and to find the humor in just about anything.
I was stationed in Japan when I was in the Navy and our only source of news was the Stars And Stripes. Each day, I'd read through the lists they published of those killed in Vietnam and to my dismay, one day I found a Lt. Robert Van Patten from San Carlos. I hoped that it couldn't be him, but I also knew that the chances of it being anyone other than Bob was slim to non-existent... Very disheartening. That was I began to dislike war as a solution.
Bob Van patent, I've been thinking of you today. m heart sank, when I found your among our beloved dead. this
Was during our vacation to Washington DC.
Although we didn't know each other well, our paths crossed when you were shopping for a sports car and I had
One to sell. you came by later with a different car that you bought. nice vehicle, I said. "Do you want to take
A ride?" "No thanks" I said. I didn't see you after that but, was shocked to see your name on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. along with another dear friend from Grammar School. This was while on vacation
To DC in 2010. Thank you both for all your sacrifices so we can enjoy all personal freedoms in our land of the
Free and home of the brave.
Bob you and John my other friend, will be cherished and missed by family & friends forever.
Lovingly submitted by friend & class, Diana Carlson
Philip Shecter
Bob and I were best friends from first grade until he was killed in Viet Nam trying to check on a fellow officer shot in a clearing. He was a true friend; someone you could always count on. In high school he starred in the play " Our Town".
Douglas Hall
I first met Bob in senior English. Each day at lunch, he, a couple of other guys (can't remember who though), and I would hang out on the senior lawn at lunch. It was during those times that they taught me to appreciate and love the quick quip and to find the humor in just about anything.
I was stationed in Japan when I was in the Navy and our only source of news was the Stars And Stripes. Each day, I'd read through the lists they published of those killed in Vietnam and to my dismay, one day I found a Lt. Robert Van Patten from San Carlos. I hoped that it couldn't be him, but I also knew that the chances of it being anyone other than Bob was slim to non-existent... Very disheartening. That was I began to dislike war as a solution.
Diana Cole (Carlson)
Bob Van patent, I've been thinking of you today. m heart sank, when I found your among our beloved dead. this
Was during our vacation to Washington DC.
Although we didn't know each other well, our paths crossed when you were shopping for a sports car and I had
One to sell. you came by later with a different car that you bought. nice vehicle, I said. "Do you want to take
A ride?" "No thanks" I said. I didn't see you after that but, was shocked to see your name on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. along with another dear friend from Grammar School. This was while on vacation
To DC in 2010. Thank you both for all your sacrifices so we can enjoy all personal freedoms in our land of the
Free and home of the brave.
Bob you and John my other friend, will be cherished and missed by family & friends forever.
Lovingly submitted by friend & class, Diana Carlson