Patricia Weinberg

Patricia “Pat” Weinberg (nee Holtzapple), superb clinician, master baker, beloved wife, sister, aunt, and friend, died August 3, 2012 at her sister Terry’s home in Oregon, surrounded by adoring family and friends. She was diagnosed with a serious illness while vacationing there.

Pat was born in 1941 to Frank and Marcy Holtzapple in Galveston, TX. After high school, she attended Oklahoma State University, graduating with a B.A. in communication disorders. Her M.A. was completed at Indiana University.

Creatively, Pat was unceasingly productive. Since her college days, her interest in photography enabled her to chronicle the lives of her friends and family. She was one of the early people to embrace digital photography and computerization; she was a technocrat! Additionally, many lucky nieces, nephews, and friends received her handmaid quilts when they entered the world. During the Iraq war, she used her creative expertise to cross-stitch quilts for military families, each one adorned with her signature red apple in the corner.

She was known as “Aunt Pat” to several generations of children – some of them nieces and nephews, some of them children of close friends. She was extremely generous with her time, resources and talents toward others. Pat contributed in countless ways, but always while plying them with her amazing cookies.

She began her career as a speech-language pathologist in New Orleans, working as a clinician for the Veterans Administration. She later transferred to the VA in Phoenix, where she pioneered modern therapies for regaining communication after stroke. Her clinical activities and her work with people with aphasia grew to the point that she became recognized as a master therapist and mentor. She was an early participant, organizer, and leader of the Clinical Aphasiology Conference (CAC), a yearly conference solely devoted to the sharing of information about aphasia and its treatment. Pat remained active with the CAC even into her retirement. She has inspired countless of therapists, and her insights and humanity have greatly improved the lives of her patients.

As a retiree, she recently began serving as a computer coach for patients with aphasia and related disorders. An ardent swimmer, she enjoyed an extremely active lifestyle, also participating in Pilates and yoga. She and Bernd travelled widely, visiting family and friends. Pat made three trips to Europe in the last five years, tracing Bernd’s family roots and having a 15 year honeymoon trip to Paris.

Pat is survived by her husband, Bernd Weinberg, sisters Terry Holtzapple and Marcy McClendon, along with many nieces and nephews, and friends. The family requests that in lieu of flowers that Pat’s friends make a donation to the charity of their choice and be with the ones you love. A wake will take place at the home of Terry Holtzapple in Prineville, OR. A memorial service in Arizona will be scheduled at a later date.

Arrangements are in the care of Prineville Funeral Home.

Please visit www.PrinevilleFuneralHome.com to share your memories or express your condolences by signing the on-line Guest Book.