Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 47–Senators Jacobsen, Amodei, Care, Carlton, Coffin, James, Mathews, McGinness, Neal, O’Connell, O’Donnell, Porter, Raggio, Rawson, Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Titus, Townsend, Washington and Wiener
Joint Sponsors: Assemblymen Parnell, Anderson, Angle, Arberry, Bache, Beers, Berman, Brower, Brown, Buckley, Carpenter, Cegavske, Chowning, Claborn, Collins, de Braga, Dini, Freeman, Gibbons, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Gustavson, Hettrick, Humke, Koivisto, Lee, Leslie, Manendo, Marvel, McClain, Mortenson, Neighbors, Nolan, Oceguera, Ohrenschall, Parks, Perkins, Price, Smith, Tiffany, Von Tobel and Williams
Senate Concurrent RESOLUTION—Memorializing prominent Carson City optometrist Dr.William Van Patten.
Whereas, William George Van Patten was born on April 10, 1931, in
Rochester, New York, to Earl and Dorothy Jeffers Van Patten; and
Whereas, William grew up in Upstate New York and attended
Mississippi Southern College in Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and
Whereas, After enlisting in the United States Air Force, William was
stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, where he met, and on
May 6, 1954, married, Sharlene Sandin, his wife of 41 years; and
Whereas, Upon being discharged from the Air Force, William
attended the University of Nevada, Reno, before entering the Los Angeles
School of Optometry, from which he graduated in 1959 with a doctorate;
and
Whereas, Shortly after his graduation, Dr. Van Patten moved to
Carson City, opened his optometric practice in August 1959 and continued
in the practice for 39 years, until retiring in 1998; and
Whereas, Dr. Van Patten set a standard for excellence in his chosen
field and endeared himself to thousands of residents of Carson City in the
capacity of optometrist because of his caring, reassuring manner; and
Whereas, Many hours of his days not dedicated to his practice were
spent in community service through such organizations as the Carson City
School Board, on which he served from 1967 to 1978, and the Rotary Club
of Carson City, in which he held numerous offices; and
Whereas, Dr. Van Patten maintained his professional acuity through
membership in such organizations as the Nevada Optometric Association,
Nevada State Board of Optometry and American Optometric Association;
and
Whereas, All those who knew Bill Van Patten as a friend, public
servant, doctor, family member or in any other capacity were saddened by
his death on February 17, 2000; and
Whereas, William Van Patten is survived by his son, William G. Van
Patten Jr., and his daughter, Katrina Van Patten-Copoulos, both of Carson
City, his brothers, James and Robert Van Patten, both of Florida, and his
grandchildren, Zach and Dion Copoulos and Ronnie Sharlene Van Patten;
now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly
Concurring, That the members of the Nevada Legislature express their
sincerest condolences to all those who miss this outstanding father,
grandfather, friend, public servant and doctor; and be it further
Resolved, That this dedicated man who filled so many roles in such a
distinguished manner will live forever in the hearts of those whose lives he
touched; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and transmit a copy
of this resolution to William Van Patten Jr. and Katrina Van Patten
-Copoulos.
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