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Patrick E. 'Pat' Mc Pherson Coloma, MI QCWA # 35541 |
SATERN Founder Pat McPherson, WW9E, SK
Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) Founder and past National Director Maj Patrick E. "Pat" McPherson, WW9E, of Coloma, Michigan, died May 14. He was 70. After serving as SATERN Director for more than 23 years, McPherson stepped down 5 years ago, although he reassumed the role in 2014-2015 on an interim basis. An ARRL member and a second-generation Salvationist, McPherson founded the disaster response and relief arm in June 1988 with one other US and two Canadian radio amateurs. Just 2 months after its founding, SATERN responded to provide communication between the US and Jamaica following Hurricane Gilbert.
Salvation Army Maj Pat McPherson, WW9E.
SATERN became an official Salvation Army program 10 years later, in 1998, and Maj McPherson was formally appointed as its national director. Now an international organization with 4000 members in North America alone, SATERN is dedicated to providing emergency communication and other assistance following disasters and emergencies, and has responded to natural disasters, fires, and air crashes, including the September 11, 2001 attacks.
At the time of his death, McPherson was to be presented with The Salvation Army Certificate in Recognition of Exceptional Service -- a national-level award acknowledging outstanding, distinguished, and significant achievement in or for The Salvation Army. It will be awarded posthumously.
Memorials in Maj McPherson's honor may be made to The Salvation Army. Read more. -- Thanks to Bill Feist, WB8BZH, for some information
Obituary:
Major Patrick E. McPherson
February 18, 1946 - May 14, 2016
Major Patrick E. McPherson (R), 70, of Coloma, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 14, 2016 at Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens. Visitation will take place from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday evening. Memorials in Pat's honor may be made to the Salvation Army. Those wishing to leave a message for the family may do so by selecting the "Sign Guestbook" option above.
Patrick was born Feb. 18, 1946 in Kansas City, Kans. to Boyd and Doris (Knox) McPherson. After graduating from Wyandotte High School, he attended Kansas City Metro Jr. College and was active with the college band, choir, and Salvation Army Metro Band. He and his wife Carmella were married on Feb. 15, 1969 and have worked side by side ever since.
Major Pat was a Salvation Army minister for 38 years, retiring in 2009. During that time, he was the Salvation Army National Emergency Director for 23 years; working with FEMA, NOVA and Homeland Security. He was also the founder of the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN). A special award from SATERN was to be presented to Pat next month. He was an avid ham radio operator and a Sky Warn member.
Major Pat is survived by his wife Carmella; son Sean McPherson of McHenry, Ill.; daughters Tara (Danny) Garcia of Elgin, Ill.; and Erin McPherson of Chicago, Ill.; a brother Majors Laurence (Judy) McPherson of Branson West, Mo.; 5 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
He was preceded by his parents; brother Boyd McPherson; niece Amy Lambrecht and nephew Bradley McCanles.
Born: February 18, 1946
Place of Birth: Kansas City, Kansas
Death: May 14, 2016
Place of Death: St. Joseph, Michigan
Memorial donations may be made to: the Salvation Army.
This memorial provided by: Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral