Dr. John Richard Patterson

John Richard Patterson, MD, known to nearly everyone as “Dick,” passed away peacefully on February 8, 2026, at Commonwealth Senior Living in Danville, Virginia. He was 93.

Born on August 7, 1932, in Pekin, Illinois, to John Sutton Patterson and Alma Grove Patterson, Dick was the eldest of three boys. Though his roots began in the Midwest, he spent most of his childhood in the South, moving to Greensboro for high school and ultimately attending the University of North Carolina. Dick graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1954 and went on to complete medical school there in 1958 forming lifelong bonds with his Beta brothers. Aside from studying, Dick spent his summers working at Yosemite, Maine, and Myrtle Beach.

After graduation, he completed his internship at MCV. While in Richmond, he was set up on a blind date and met the love of his life, Anne Wayne Fuller. They married on December 27, 1958, beginning a partnership that would span more than six decades and serve as the steady center of his life.

After medical school, Dick completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Florida, where he served as chief resident. It was in Gainesville that they welcomed their first child, John. He then served three years as an Army physician at Fort Ord, California. Sixty-two years prior to the day of his passing, he delivered his own daughter, Meredith, in Monterey, California. He delighted in the beauty of the West Coast and the novelty of playing golf year-round. But in an era before cell phones and instant communication, California felt far from family and even farther from UNC basketball. When his service concluded, he and Anne Wayne returned east, settling in Anne Wayne’s hometown of Danville, Virginia, where he joined Dr. John Marcella to form Danville OB-GYN.

Dick found his calling in medicine. He cherished the privilege of caring for women and welcoming new life into the world, ultimately delivering thousands of babies over the course of his 45-year long career. He practiced until he was 70, retiring in 2001. He also served on the Board of Directors of Danville Regional Medical Center. In later years, it was not uncommon for him to be cared for by the grown children of former patients. This is a quiet, full-circle testament to the trust and devotion he inspired across generations of families.

Family life was rich with tradition and laughter. Summers were spent on Bald Head Island, where brothers, cousins, golf buddies, and children gathered year after year. Dick was known for approaching fishing with unwavering optimism and remarkably little success; despite his dedication, the fish seemed to always elude him. Still, he returned to the water each day with hope and a grin. He loved to travel, and one of his greatest joys was taking his entire family to Italy to celebrate his and Anne Wayne’s 50th wedding anniversary: a trip filled with history, good food, and even better company.

Though he served faithfully on numerous hospital and civic boards, Dick’s truest avocation was cheering on the Tar Heels. For more than 60 years, he attended thousands of Carolina basketball and football games, undeterred by weather, distance, or disappointment. His loyalty never wavered. Saturdays in the fall and winter were sacred, and Chapel Hill was his second home. We find peace knowing that his last evening on earthside was watching his beloved Tar Heels take down the Blue Devils one last time.

Above all, Dick was devoted to his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Anne Wayne Fuller Patterson; his son, John Richard Patterson, Jr. (Susan) of Charlotte, North Carolina; and his daughter, Meredith Anne Patterson Laufenberg (John) of Dallas, Texas. He is survived by his brother, Scott Grove Patterson (Robin) of Easton, Maryland.

A generous and doting grandfather he attended and rarely missed a graduation, soccer game or dance recital. He leaves five grandchildren who brought him immeasurable pride and joy: Matthew William Patterson, Daniel John Patterson, Elizabeth Laverne Patterson, Anna Rose Laufenberg, and Jake Richard Laufenberg.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Dick’s brother-in-law, Bill Fuller, whose unwavering support and steadfast presence meant more than words can say. They are especially thankful to Bessie Waller for the compassion, kindness, and devoted care she provided over the past several years and to Brooks Powell for running countless errands. The family also extends a sincere thank you to the staff at Stratford for the attentive care and support they gave Dick during the last six months of his life.

He was preceded in death by his best friend and brother, Donald Sutton Patterson, and nephew, Donald Sutton Patterson, Jr.

Dick will be remembered for his devotion to his profession, his unwavering support of UNC athletics, his enduring love for Anne Wayne and their family, and for a lifetime spent delivering babies by day and cheering for Carolina by night. His story lives on in the countless lives he touched both in the delivery room and in the stands.

A memorial service will be held at Townes Funeral Home, 215 West Main Street, Danville, Virginia, on February 21 at 2:00 p.m. Please feel free to wear Dick’s favorite color to the service, Carolina blue.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to PATHS Community Medical Center in Danville or to UNC Chapel Hill.