‘He is singing with the angels now’

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Christopher Patterson is shown in his 2009 graduation photo from West Aurora High School

Updated: February 21, 2012 1:36PM

“Parents should never have to bury their children,” Mary said when we spoke on Friday.

I was embarrassed that her voice was more steady than mine.

Mary Patterson and I are longtime friends. Our children were in many of the same activities at West Aurora High School, and two of them even went to the same college.

On Friday morning, her son, Christopher Alexander Patterson, was killed in action in Afghanistan.

Chris was one of the bravest of the brave. Mary told me he was an “engineer sapper” doing “route clearance.” His job was finding and destroying improvised explosive devices.

Chris was what we all hope our sons grow up to be — a true gentleman who studied hard, worked hard, loved his family, served his country and fearlessly confronted danger to keep others safe. He was brave and proud and beautiful. When we send people of this caliber around the world, they allow us all to stand a little taller as Americans for the way they represent us.

“Crispy” (Chris P), as his friends called him, was also a talented musician with a gorgeous voice. He played trombone, various types of guitar, and organ. He sang in West’s A Cappella Choir and STUDyhall groups and then joined the a cappella group VuVox at Valparaiso University where he was a music education major.

“Chris was one of those students who was destined to be great,” said Jon McLear, Fine Arts Department chair at West High. “He always did everything to the best of his ability — especially when it came to music. He was a gifted and passionate musician who will continue to inspire me for the rest of my life.”

The Pattersons are a military family. Robert Patterson is retired from the Navy, Mary is a Navy Reservist, and Chris’s brother Carl recently finished his Crucible Training to become a Marine. They understand the risks and proudly embrace the jobs they are asked to do for their country.

Mary was glad that she had been able to communicate with her son on Facebook every day and had a videocall through Skype on Christmas Eve. She said she wishes she had a tape of that now, but memory will have to suffice.

She is comforted by her memories and her Lutheran faith.

“I know Chris was right with his God,” Mary said. “He often talked about his faith. I know he is singing with the angels now.”

Many of his friends echoed that sentiment in a long list of tributes on Chris Patterson’s Facebook page. Most believe he’s enjoying his new part in the celestial choirs, while one friend suggested he might be beating God at chess right about now. Everyone agrees it was much too soon for Chris to leave us but offered heartfelt thanks for his service to our country, and many expressed their confidence of seeing him again.

A fellow musician and West grad, Tyler Murphy, wrote: “Chris, my friend, whatever the plan was/is, it was just too soon. You touched many people in your life. Whether you knew it or not ... I know we’ll see each other again one day.”

John Sierakowski, a music director at West High and fellow member with Chris of the music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, wrote: “To my brother in music, may your melodies of life be shared forever. Thank you for your service.”

We acutely feel the loss of one of our best and recognize the debt we owe Chris for his willingness to put himself in harm’s way in the service of our country. Robbie Bilodeau, who works with Mary at West High, summed it up with the words: “Chris was an amazing young man and I was honored to be a part of his life. ... My heart is broken right now.”

As we mourn the brevity of his time with us, may we allow Chris Patterson to inspire us to be our best possible selves — with honor and integrity. And next time you turn your music up loud, think of him. Mary said that would make him smile.