The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-08-01
Obituaries.
ROBERT A. PATTERSON, M. D.

NObERI A. PATTERSON, M. D.
DIR. Robert Atkinson Patterson was
born in Dinwiddie county, Virginia,
IN the year of our Lord, 1923, and was
called to be with God the I4th day of
June, 1906, thus reaching the ripe
old age OF four score and three years.
His parents were members of those
two large and honored families of Vir-
glnia-the Pattersons and the Akin
sons. His fathers name was Will
liam Patterson, and that of his mother
Ann Peasants Atkinson. 1t was
doubtless from these godly and hon.
ored parents he inherited those rare
and excellent characteristics that made
up the typical Southern gentleman.
He carried pre-eminently these traits
with him to the grave. Never once
did he permit the hurry and hustle
mltted to enter, hide those character
istics which long years gone by had
indelibly stamped on his life. 1t was
indeed refreshing. to see this grand old
representative of the golden past
walking with dignity and gentlemanly
bearing through the careless world of
to-day. Truly one of Gods nob1emen
has fallen, but he has left behind the
fragrance of a godly life. 1t was his
goodness that pre-eminently marked
him as man among men. At a very
early age in life he made a profession
of his faith in Christ and throughout
the long years of his useful life he
never turned to the right or left, and
died in the comforting hope of the
resurrection and the assurance that as
he had confessed Christ on earth, so
also would Christ confess him before
the Father which is in heaven. In
early manhood he began the practice
of medicine, his chosen profession,
and few physicians of his day hon
was we'll prepared for his life's work,
but never ceased the study of the
science in order that he might, if pos
sible, alleviate pain and suffering of
his fellowmen. The great maj ority
of his life was spent in Halifax coun-
ty, N. c., the State of his adoption,
and no son of that county has ever
been honored more than he. In 1852
he was married to Susan Indiana
Boyd, the daughter of Robert James
and Mary Davis Boyd, honored names
in all eastern North Carolina. Of
this union were born thirteen chill
dren, eight of whom. with the beloved
wife, remain to mourn their loss. Dr.
Patterson was faithful in all the rela-
tons of life, as father, as husband, as
friend, as neighbor and many have
been led by his cody example to
better life. He never forgot to work
for his church and his God and
though isolated in his early married
life from Presbyterian association, he
was the promoter, and we may justly
say, the founder of the church at Lit
Teton, N c., of which he was the
leading Elder throughout his long life.
While living ten miles in the country
and all the time busy physician, yet
he conscientiously and faithfully
brought his children to the Sunday
school every Sabbath day. For nine
years the writer was pastor of that lit
tie church and the very presence of
this venerable servant of God was a
benediction and inspiration. His in
terest in, his counsel to, and his pray
ers for the church was beautiful to be-
hold. God grant that his mantle may
fall on his followers and loved ones,
and may the comfort of the God in
whom he trusted be with and bind up
the broken heart Of the sorrowing
mother and disconsolate children, and
thus bind them by a stronger tie to
heaven.
ellis Lord said unto him, We'll done
thou good and faithful servant; thou
hast been faithful over few things.
/ will make thee ruler over MANY