Patrick A. Meadows, age 70, of Lee's Summit, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Tuesday April 10, 2018. Born on July 16, 1947 in Ithaca, NY, he was the son of Josephine Cecilia McPadden and Marion Watt Meadows, who preceded him in death.
He enjoyed exploring the environs around Etna and Fall Creek with his brother Bob, trusty dog Tippy and neighborhood pals.
Adventures including fishing, swimming, building forts, push carts, ice skating, hunting and sledding, all of which were were pursued with great passion. Once the family moved to Varna, a new stretch of Fall Creek was his domain, from Monkey Run to Beebe Lake. Many hot summer days were spent at the Beebe Lake swimming area (when such things were allowed), and the magnificent gorges beyond. Two family vacation highlights were going to the Outer Banks of North Carolina as well as the Isles of Shoals, Maine to visit his sister Mary.
Pat was a Cub Scout in a den run by his mother. He continued on to Boy Scouts attaining Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow. While scouting (Troop 45 in Varna), many weekend camping trips were enjoyed, exploring the wild forestlands of Mount Pleasant, the Plantations, Connecticut Hill and weeklong stays at Camp Barton along Cayuga Lake being especially treasured.
Pat had many abilities and interests, including building and flying detailed model airplanes. He was also a talented artist, cartoonist and vocalist. Pat spent many hours drawing cartoons, airplanes and sports cars with precision and always with a sharp pencil. He also loved fast cars, motorcycles and ice hockey.
An Ithaca High School graduate (Class of ‘65), he was a member of the varsity swim team and chorus. Attending Cornell University, he was active in the Glee Club and a fraternity brother at Delta Tau Delta. Pat obtained his BS in electrical engineering from Cornell in 1969 followed by an MS in Computer Science at the University of Santa Clara in 1981.
During a 30 year career at Bendix, he rose to the level of Senior Engineer, working on various government projects including the guidance systems on the Hubble Space Telescope.
Due to significant health challenges, he retired early at the age of 55. He continued to show great strength, perseverance and resilience over the following years. He is survived by his brother, Robert Meadows (Polly) of Middletown, Delaware, sisters, Mary Meadows of Kennebunk, Maine and Christine Currier (Warren) of Slaterville Springs, NY as well as many nieces and a nephew.
Our family would like to express special thanks to George Arnone (and his wife Donna) for their wonderful care of Pat over the last 7 years. Our deepest thanks also to Tom Tucker (Calla) and Caris Hospice as well as Pat's sister Chris, who helped long distance in his care.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday May 12, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Calvary Cemetery on Floral Ave., Ithaca, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Etna Nature Preserve through the Finger Lakes Land Trust or Caris Healthcare Hospice in Independence, Missouri.
SERVICES Graveside Service
Saturday, May 12, 2018 11:00 AM
Calvary Cemetery Five Mile Drivre Ithaca, New York 14850
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