Richard J. Patrick

Richard J. "Dick" Patrick, 77, passed away May 18, 2014 in Kindred Healthcare, Reading.

He was the husband of Mary M. (Richards) Eastburn-Patrick. He was predeceased by his second wife, Jean (Bare) Patrick.

Born in Shamokin, he was a son of the late George and Veronica (Melanovich) Patrick.

Dick served in the US Army.

He was Chief Photographer and Assistant Photography Editor of the Reading Times, and later the Reading Eagle newspapers. He began his career at the newspaper in June, 1965 and won numerous awards in photography before retiring in 2006, but continued to contribute as a part-time staffer until 2009. His passions in photography included photographing the Amish and Motorsports.

Dick was an original member of the National Press Photographers Association as well as the Pennsylvania Press Photographers Association. He also contributed work to the AD Times (Diocese of Allentown) publication for more than 25 years.

He was a member of St. John Baptist de la Salle Roman Catholic Church, Shillington.

Surviving along with his wife, are his son, Richard G., husband of Laurie Patrick of Spring Township and three stepchildren: Richard W., husband of Judie Eastburn of Mesa, AZ; Christine A., wife of Peter Schwarze of Bernville and Elizabeth Eastburn of Lewis, DE.

Additional survivors include his sister, Rosemary Lauer of Spotsylvania, VA and his ten grandchildren.

Dick was predeceased by his daughter, Ellen E. Patrick, who died March 27, 1993; and his stepdaughter, Karen M. Hafer, who died in 2001.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. John Baptist de la Salle Church, 420 Holland Street, Shillington, PA 19607. A viewing will be held Friday evening from 6-8 in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading. There will be no viewing Saturday. Interment will be in Forest Hills Memorial Park, Exeter Township.

Contributions may be made to the church at the above address. For online condolences, visit www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.