OBITUARY

Alfred "Pat" Pattee

January 17, 1939 – February 12, 2020

PAT PATTEE passed away quietly from natural causes on Wednesday morning, February 12, 2020. He was 81 years old. He leaves behind his wife of 35 years, Carmen Kohl-Pattee; his stepdaughter, Lisa Trapold; his son, Patton J. Pattee, Sr., and spouse Lona Jean of Elgin, Oregon; daughter, Kimberlea Snegirev and spouse Tony of Salem, Oregon; 7 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

Pat was born and raised in a family-built home in North Portland on January 17, 1939, an only child born to Alfred Asa and Frances Pattee. He grew up in North Portland, attended St. Johns Christian Church, and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1957. His passions included radio broadcasting, music, night club entertaining and racing and he found a way to incorporate all of his passions into the person who became Pat Pattee. He raced stock cars and participated in many a demolition derby at the Portland Speedway and up and down the West Coast. Racing extended to the water as he raced speedboats on the Columbia River. He formed his own jazz and blues band, the Pat-Tones, and was a very talented drummer; his band played many of the Portland blues clubs in the ‘50’s.

His radio career began when he signed with Star Broadcasting Chain at just 20 years old. After attending Broadcasting School in Burbank, California, and Northwest School of Broadcasting in Portland, Oregon, he also taught broadcasting for a short time. That journey took him to places like Pocatello, Idaho; Helena, Montana; Omaha, Nebraska; Vancouver, Washington and back to Portland, Oregon. Dubbed “The Preacher”, Pat rose to disc jockeying fame when he landed at KISN radio in Portland, Oregon, as one of the original KISN Good Guys. May 1, 1959, his, was one of two voices to sign KISN Radio on the air. The Preacher’s deep baritone voice could be heard across the airwaves from 12 midnight to 6:00 A.M. As he was the only DJ with an engineer’s license, he had the unique experience of broadcasting from the transmitter on Smith Lake in North Portland where he often had to arrive at work via a boat. Pat, along with the other KISN Good Guys, was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in 2018.

Later in his career, Pat’s disc jockeying talents again shone at a multitude of nightclubs in and around the Portland/Vancouver area. He performed at “The Crossing Restaurant and Lounge” alone for 5 years. Pattee fans were treated to Pat’s entertaining antics as he guided the evening into a bevy of 50’s and 60’s Rock and Roll, as well as big band selections, R & B, and blues music. His rapid-fire vocals were not to be outdone by his extensive knowledge of local and national artists of every genre. In talking to him, he offered an abundance of information about Portland’s music and racing scene. Pat Pattee lived life on his own terms and will be missed by all who shared his love for the beats that touch the soul of man.

This is Pat Pattee . . . signing off.

Memories

Joey White

March 7, 2020

I have been trying to put my thoughts together since I heard of 'Pat's' passing on the 12th. As I look back, I remember that Pat was the 1st DJ I spoke with in September of 1972. He was on KLSC when I first came to Oregon and He, 'The Preacher' was the one who encouraged me to stay in the DJ business. Later he introduced me to Dirty Dave, whom I had known from Star Auto Wrecking [Dave's Dad's Place on 82nd Ave]. From then on we all hung out at different Clubs & venues whenever our varied schedules would permit. I was working days & Pat worked Nights. 'They' always told me "Don't give up your full time job Joey, you may not make it in radio", so I never did. Our path's crossed many times while working different 'Gigs' over the last 48 years and we would run into each other at Clubs where both of us had played at one time or another. Some of those were: Pub 181, Victoria Station {Willamette Diner}, Dickens Pub, Old JOE,s Saloon, The Westwood Inn, The Crossing Restaurant {Vancouver} & others. And Last but not least, when I wasn't working, the wife & I would go to see him spin the Tunes at the 'Groove Juice' Pizzeria in Beaverton back in the 80's. It's Been a Great Ride Preacher! I will miss you. {Pic of me working at the Westwood Inn-1985} Rest In Peace My Friend. Joey G. 🙏👍

Patty Stephen

March 2, 2020

I am so sorry for the loss of a good man, he helped me though a time that i in my 20s, and was in a very depressed state of mind, and wanted to kill my self, he took time to talk to me, and showed me that some one cared , now I am a 66 year old , mother of 2 and grandmother of 1, I know he in heaven with our god

Jim Conway

February 17, 2020

Long before my radio career I had the unforgettable pleasure of meeting Pat Pattee at 91 Wonderful KISN, very early in my radio life... and the best was yet to come.

I met Pat when I was 19, fresh out of the broadcast classes at Benson High School. Over the next many decades, Pat and I became close friends. I had the honor of being his engineer and roadie, I turned 21 with Pat at Slab Town, along with getting him back on "the air" when he would blow out the sound system. I can hear Pat saying "J C, I'm at Slab Town, I blew the mains out, hit the road daddy and get me back on". ...and I did.

I cared for Pat's "Six Pack" sound system, from set up and tear down, to making sure Pat sounded great!! And Pat did sound great, on KISN, KLSC and KAAR, he rocked Slab Town, the Red Caboose, The Crossing, The Mad Trapper, the Hang Out, St. Paul Rodeo, and so many more club and private gigs. There is a VHS tape of Pat being MC and Playing the Hits at the Portland premier of the movie Grease, a big party at Central Catholic High, aka Rydell High School.

It was my pleasure to work with the greatest DJ ever. My mentor and friend. We shared work, laughs and family. We celebrated our birthdays together, we were one month apart, he is January 17, I'm February 17. He loved his family and his music fans, Pat appreciated his regulars at the clubs. We will all miss our Preacher.

Pat was a fireball of energy on stage, and just plain fun! All his fans probably remember the cool intros into the big radio hits.... I will paraphrase a hip introduction, he loved this one...

"Now we got to Rock....we got to Roll....Movin' and a Groovin' gotta satisfy my SOUL Baby!!" ...now, it's off to heaven I go....

Rest in peace, my friend, mentor and rocker; Pat Pattee

To the earlier poster, Don, you asked about Pat's theme song, which opened his radio show and live club gigs. The song is "Blow Pat Blow", by Pat "The Cat" Monforte. Thanks for your posting and memories.

Donald Lentz

February 17, 2020

Loved listening to Pat on both KISN and KLSC. I used to call him at about 10 years old in the middle of the night with requests.

Sure wish I knew what that beautiful sax song was that was played at the start of his Saturday afternoon show on KLSC. Loved that tune but never knew the name or the artist 😉

Suzanne Rice

February 17, 2020

Condolences to Pat's wife Carmen and all who knew an loved him! Many memories attending many of his shows in Portland an vacouver with his good friends Jeannie an Walt. My sister-in- law Jeannie was Carmen's good friend, and I was honored when "Pat an Carmen" attended my husband's memorial service way back in 1982. Pat was friends of many and has left a lasting legacy!! 💖

David Kahl

February 16, 2020

Pat was a friend, a mentor, and a true fan. Whenever we got together, he freely shared what he knew and thought, having musical knowledge that was, at times, stunning but always bringing it back to the same subject — me.

Pat loved my playing. As a drummer, he took notice of bass players, knew what he liked, and could tell you why. He never let me rest on my laurels, always asking “what next?” Although I generally knew the answer, it was hard to respond. He was my idol in childhood and teenage years. Even as an adult, I was in awe, so I took time to deliberate and be clear. His approval, to me, was a badge of honor.

“What next?”, indeed. Love and miss you, Preacher Man.

Lisa Trapold

February 15, 2020

My Life with Pat begins with my Mom's Love for Delta Blues...

Back in the early 60's my Mom, Carmen, would put me to bed at night, then stay up late listening to Pat Pattee on KISN Radio calling in requests of her favorite Blues tunes until one day curiosity captured Pat and he just had to know who this lady was on the other end of the phone...

I first met Pat at 4 yrs old. Pat told me I stood in his living room looking up at these big speakers, and he still used those speakers when I was Rockin with him in my 20's & 30's.

Pat always had Nicknames for people close to him. This is when I was given the Nickname "BabyGirl". I spent my 21st Birthday Rockin with Pat and Mom at Slab Town.

When Pat was playing nighclubs around town, I always spent my weekends dancing the night away to Pat's R&B tunes with my Mom as my dance partner. Just hanging with my Mom and Dad instead of my friends, because that is where I preferred to be. I had some of the best times in my life with them.He always came down off the bandstand to dance with me.Just before the song ended, he always said, "Ok, Babygirl, I Love You, I've got to get back up there"

He was the man who walked me down the aisle at my wedding and danced with me for the Father/Daughter dance.

You can just give him 3-4 words in the song and he would pull it up from the "Archives of His Mind" and give you the title, artist's name and year of the song. Amazing!

Even though Pat is technically my Stepdad, he has been the only Father figure that has been in my life the longest...most of it, in fact. So, in my Heart, he's my Dad...Pat Pattee.

Pat, my Dad, has touched many people's lives throughout his lifetime. He put a smile on our faces just simply doing what he Loved...Music...entertaining us. He may not be physically present with us any longer but he will Forever Live on in Our Hearts and Memories.

You, Dad, may be "Signing Off" for now, but we will see you again soon...

You are Loved and Missed...Your "BabyGirl"...Lisa

Bill McLain

February 15, 2020

Enjoyed talking with Pat when I played at “Lydia’s”. He had stories to share and he liked to talk about music and drums. Always nice to everyone.

Lisa Meier

February 14, 2020

A legend in Portland. Grew up listening to KISN and the guys! A life well lived, but will surely be missed by so many! Rock on Sir! You left your Mark! RIP Pat.