Peter Clyde Patton

Peter Clyde Patton was born on June 11,1935 and passed away November 14, 2025, in Abilene, TX. He was 90 years old.

Born and raised in Wichita, KS, he was the son of Claude Patton and Beryl Inez (Jones) Barney.

Peter was truly a Christian Renaissance man. He lived his life full of a love of God, a love of family, and a love for the life of the mind. He was fascinated by both the humanities—languages in particular—and by the sciences. He delighted in the world around him and loved to travel internationally.

These dual interests were reflected in his undergraduate studies at Harvard. He entered the university intending to study comparative literature and Sanskrit but graduated with a degree in Engineering and Applied Physics (1957).

While working for Boeing after graduating from Harvard, he met the love of his life, Naomi Julia Lawson, and they married on August 31, 1957.

After completing an MA in Mathematics from the University of Kansas, Peter embarked on a career in the computing industry.

During this early stage of his career, he was able to travel internationally as part of his work: two years consulting for Sperry Rand International in Lausanne, Switzerland were followed by another two years in the United Kingdom. Managing a computer group at the University of Stuttgart resulted in a PhD in aeronautical engineering from that university. Also, during this stage of his work, he rekindled his love for the humanities by beginning work toward a Master of Divinity degree.

Upon returning to the States, Peter built a career that moved between computing jobs located in universities and jobs more focused on applied computing technologies. He began working as a managing director at Analysts International Corporation in Minneapolis, MN (1968-71) but soon became the director of the computer center at the University of Minnesota (1971-1983). While fulfilling this role, Peter also served on the faculties of the Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Ancient Studies, and Classical Civilizations departments. He facilitated several pioneering projects that used computers to solve problems in the humanities—especially in archaeology and linguistics.

In the 1980s, Peter became involved in parallel processing projects with Microelectronic and Computer Technology Consortium (MCC) as well as several supercomputer projects, including becoming the founding director of the Minnesota Supercomputer Institute. He also established and ran a consulting business whose clients included NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratories (among others) as clients.

From 1991-1996 Peter was Vice Provost of Information Systems and Computing and Chief Information Officer at the University of Pennsylvania. Under his leadership, the university upgraded its computing infrastructure, re-engineered their business processes, and launched a program that networked the residence halls for data, voice, and video. His years at Penn also allowed him to attend to his long-standing interests in the humanities. He served on the School of Arts and Sciences committee to establish an undergraduate curriculum in Ancient Studies. He also worked to help bring computer technologies to the Sumerian Dictionary Project at the University Museum.

After leaving Penn, Peter was recruited by his brothers-in-law (Bill and Richard Lawson) to work for the company he had encouraged them to establish Lawson Software. He served as their chief technologist from 1996-2001.

The last phase of Peter’s career gave him the opportunity to bring his academic and professional interests in computers and humanities onto the campuses of Christian colleges. His final appointment was at Oklahoma Christian University where he helped accredit the engineering program and also taught The Bible and Classical Literature as part of the Honors Program.

Peter held two patents in the automatic generation of business software applications. He consulted and published widely around the world; he was the author of several books, monographs, and book chapters, and wrote numerous journal articles in several research fields. He was an honored member of multiple professional organizations.

In addition to this remarkable career, Peter enjoyed a variety of hobbies. He loved learning languages (including German, French, Russian, Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, and Arabic). He loved classical music: he was fascinated by Bach’s music and loved the power of the pipe organ. He was an avid collector, including stamps and coins. He loved collecting and restoring radios. And, for a very brief period in his 30s (much to the dismay of Naomi), he raced a 1968 Corvette.

Peter was active in the church all along his life’s journey. He longed to be among the people of God. He was committed to serving God in all kinds of church contexts. He worked with missionary churches while living in Europe. He supported small churches while living in Minnesota and Pennsylvania. He worshipped with a large church in Oklahoma. He served in whatever capacities were required by the church he attended. He loved teaching Bible class. He wanted to share the joys he discovered in his own study of the Word of God.

Peter was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Beryl; his brother, Damon; his eldest child, Peter Jr. and Peter’s wife Mary; and his grandson, Hunter Pope.

He is survived by his wife, Naomi; his sisters, Deanna Coalter and Sherry Caldwell; his children Claudia (Richard) Wright, Theresa (Ken) Pope, Richard (Gina), and Phillip (Catherine).

He is also survived by fifteen grandchildren: Peter III and Luke (Stephanie) Patton; Michael (Becca), Eavy (Katie), Christian, and Galen Wright; Connor (Tess), Ramsay (Jacquelyn), and Molly (Kayla) Pope; Isabella (Marcus Way), Trevor (Marissa), and Mia Patton; and William, Harrison, and Andrew Patton.

He leaves behind seven great-grandchildren: Patton, Naomi, and Anderson Wright; Atticus, Ransom, and Imogen Way; and Stella Patton.