Dick VE7GC

William Richard Pattinson
November 20 1915 - May 21 2015

William Richard (Dick) Pattinson VE7GC passed away at the age of 99 on May 21, 2015. First licensed in 1934, Dick was a "lifetime" member of SSIARC. He had a career as a float plane pilot and radio technician along the BC coast from the 1940s to the 1970s. He was also an avid sailor, even having made a number of circumnavigations of Vancouver Island. Dick will be sorely missed.

We are saddened to announce the passing of Dick Pattinson on May 21, 2015. Dick was born in Burnaby, B.C on November 20, 1915. He was raised in Burnaby and trained as a radio technician. In 1940 he married Christina Royal in Ottawa. After the war, the couple moved to Alert Bay where he worked as a radio technician on fishing boats and in logging camps for the next 30+ years. During that time he learned to fly and bought his own float plane in order to serve his customers better, as well as his sense of adventure.

In 1977, Dick and Chris chose Salt Spring Island as their retirement home. Here, Dick continued to follow his interest in radios, enjoying the activities and friendships in the local amateur radio club. Here too, he started sailing. In 1983 he began his annual adventure - sailing around Vancouver Island. He had so much fun that he did it again, and again... fourteen times in total, usually leaving in June and returning about 30 days later.

Dick will be sorely missed by family, radio and sailing club members and the many friends, acquaintances and people he touched over almost 100 years along the B.C. Coast. Dick was a sailor, adventurer, businessman, radio communication expert, innovator, seaplane pilot, explorer and a gentleman. He was truly one of a kind and led a long, healthy, vibrant life that set an outstanding example for all of us.

He was a loving husband and father. Predeceased by Christina, his wife of 68 years and survived by his children Jane, Howard and Alan and four grandsons. A celebration of his life will be held at the Salt Spring Island Sailing Club 2:00-4:00 PM on Sunday, May 31, 2015. Donations to Lady Minto Hospital in lieu of flowers.

Dick sailed around Vancouver 14 times. The following article was written by Harold Brochmann after accompanying him on his 11th circumnavigation in 2000.

Around Vancouver Island: the mate's view (courtesy of Salt Spring Island Sailing Club)