10-02-2009 (1.09 MB)

Duration: 2:21 m

A community mourns the loss of Gordon Patterson

You can know the true quality of a community and the character of its residents by how it chooses to respond to crisis and loss. After observing and participating in the events of the past several weeks, I couldn’t be more proud to call Vancouver home. I believe Gordon Patterson would have been proud as well.

Late September was an unexpectedly difficult time for the Patterson family and friends, Hudson’s Bay staff and students, and the rest of the Vancouver Public Schools family. Gordon was well loved. His passion for making a difference with each and every student was unparalleled. His gift was to demonstrate unconditional love for the people in his life. As one of the speakers at the memorial service eloquently stated, those in attendance evidenced his legacy. Gordon was a servant-leader. He was deeply committed to transforming lives and our community.

I did not know Gordon well. I spent time in his classroom twice last year—once during a site visit and the other on a patron tour. What I remember most about both visits is the degree to which students were engaged in their learning—authentically engaged—and how passionately and articulately those students spoke about the class, their projects, and their post secondary plans. No doubt, we’ve lost a terrific educator and a wonderful human being.

I’d like to share my deepest appreciation:

To our Hudson’s Bay administrators, staff members, and students for the professionalism, poise and compassion of their response;

To our counselors, mental health professionals, and other district employees who were on site to assist our grieving students and staff;

To our friends and partners, including the City of Vancouver, Vancouver Police Department, Evergreen Public Schools and other Clark County school districts, and Educational Service District 112 for sending additional crisis team members, and;

To our community for rallying immediate support not only for Hudson’s Bay, but also directly to the Patterson family.

I know that you join me in continuing to send thoughts and prayers to the Patterson family, our colleagues and students at Hudson’s Bay, and all who were impacted by this tragic loss.

Take care,