Dr. Donald Wood Patrick

8/28/38-4/25/15

Donald Patrick was a brilliant, funny, gracious and kind man.

Donald and his twin brother, David, were born on August 28, 1938 in San Antonio, Texas. The son of a Methodist minister, Donald grew up in San Antonio, Austin, Victoria, and Kingsville, Texas. A graduate of A&I University, as it was known then, he was honored as a distinguished alumnus. He attended Baylor College of Medicine, where he also completed his neurosurgical residency.

Serving as the Chief of neurosurgery of the 24th evacuation hospital in Vietnam was one of the most intense and rewarding experiences of Donald's life. He remembered vividly his patients and fellow members of his field hospital. His service was rewarded with a bronze star and recorded in a book he has written about the time.

Donald practiced neurosurgery in Austin, Texas from 1970-2001. During that time he was actively involved in establishing EMS services for Austin, chairing multiple committees and intermittently serving as the director of EMS services. He served as the chief of staff and chief of surgery of multiple hospitals. He was the president of TANS. Donald served as the Executive Director of the Texas Medical Board from 2001 to 2008, a time of controversy and "above the fold" articles about the agency. His principled wise guidance won wide spread respect. He was the Medical Advisor for Worker's Compensation from 2010-2013. His trophy wall was large and covered in awards and accolades.

Perhaps more interestingly, Donald also at various times raised quarter horses, ranched, built and flew his own airplane, was a licensed pilot for decades, ran marathons, climbed mountains, and traveled extensively. He served on the Pflugerville ISD school board as a member and later as president of the board.

A proponent of lifelong learning, Donald entered the University of Texas law school at the age of 55, and later attended the Butler School of Music as a graduate student. He loved military history, cathedrals, architecture, classical music and the opera. He played the violin, continuing with lessons until his seventh decade. He was actively involved in the Knights of the Symphony, ultimately serving as Lord Chancellor.

Donald was a very special man. He made friends from all walks of life—medicine, flying, running, mountain climbing and the Austin Symphony, to name but a few. He was warmly embraced by his extended Biebas family who introduced him to the ways of the Wends and noodles for every occasion.

Survivors:

-wife: Dr. Carolyn Biebas

-children: Dr. Kathleen Patrick and her husband, Dr. Robert Leese; David Wood (Woody) Patrick and his wife, Holly; Kyle Patrick, Paige Patrick

-9 grandchildren: Lauren, Marcus, Antonia, Josiah, Logan, Estella, Lily, Meghan, and Tristan

-sister, Ann Jordan and her husband, Jack

-twin brother, David and his wife, Annette

-5 nieces and 4 nephews

-Extended Biebas family: Dr. Tom and Sharon Muir, Bob and Julie Biebas

Donald was preceded in death by his parents Lorena and Wood Patrick.

His final days were made infinitely easier and more loving by the support of family and friends. We are grateful for the remarkable and kind caregivers and physicians who accompanied us on this painful journey.

Should you wish to memorialize Donald, in lieu of flowers, he would have been pleased to see the Austin Symphony and Austin Lyric Opera supported as they provided countless hours of pleasure for him, or the Wood and Lorena Patrick scholarship fund he established at A&M Kingsville.

Visitation 6-8pm Friday, May 1, at the family residence.

Memorial service: 2 pm Sat., May 2, University United Methodist Church, 2409 Guadalupe St. Parking available in the lot across the street