Dr. Bob E. Patterson

Dr. Bob E. Patterson, 90, of Waco, peacefully left this earth for his heavenly home on the morning of July 17, 2022. A Funeral Service will be 10 am, Saturday, July 23 at First Baptist Waco, with Dr. Matt Snowden officiating.  The family will receive visitors following the service.

Bob was born August 29, 1931, the fourth son of Eva and Dewitt Patterson.  He grew up in Kings Mountain, North Carolina where he graduated from High School in 1948.  After two years at Gardner Webb University, he transferred to Baylor University as a Junior and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Religion and English as well as a Masters degree in Philosophy.

He and his wife, Barbara, were married in Tallahassee, Florida in December of 1953.  They lived in Louisville, Kentucky while Bob completed his PhD at the Southern Baptist Seminary.  Following graduation the couple moved to Eustis, Florida where Bob was pastor of the First Baptist Church.

In August 1961, Bob became a faculty member of Baylor University’s Religion Department.  He taught there for fifty years before retiring in 2011.

While at Baylor, Bob authored and edited numerous books and articles.  An 18 volume series on "Maker of the Modern Theological Mind" and the book, "Who is Jesus Christ?", were widely used by both students and laymen.  In 1995, he was appointed to the position of Distinguished Professor of Religion.

Bob was also a popular Bible teacher outside the classroom and was a frequent interim pastor and conference speaker.  He traveled to several former Soviet Union countries as a mission teacher, taught in the Baylor in London studies program, and led several study tours to the Middle East.

For over forty years he taught a Sunday School class at First Baptist Church, Waco.  This was a class he loved and often commented that the members were among his most treasured friends.

Bob had many interests outside the academic world.  He researched his family genealogy and coordinated semi-annual family reunions.  He loved baseball and coached girls Little League for many years.  He was a jogger, hunter, backpacker, and an avid reader.

He cared deeply for his family and enjoyed participating in their activities.  His positive spirit, enthusiasm, and love for others will be remembered and cherished.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara; his three brothers, Charles, Jack, and Hal.

Left to cherish his memories are his daughters, Lindy Dehm and husband Brian, Beth Patterson; grandchildren, Ashley Kendrick and husband Camron, Austin Dehm and wife, Emily; great grandchildren, Brazos and Maggie Kendrick, and Travis Dehm.

The family wishes to thank Arbor House Memory Care staff and Interim Hospice staff for their loving and compassionate care to our father and to us.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Patterson Sunday School class of First Baptist Waco, or the charity of your choice.

Registry for Dr. Bob E. Patterson