Dr. Richard D. Patterson

Dr. Richard D. Patterson, 91, of Simpsonville, widower of Anna Rod Patterson, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, February 26, 2021.

Born in Aurora, IL, he was the son of the late Lester and Bessie Metcalf Patterson.  He was of the Baptist faith and a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church.

Dr. Patterson held an A.B., Wheaton College; M. Div., Los Angeles Baptist Theological Seminary; Th.M., Talbot Theological Seminary; M.A. and Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles.

In his years of service, Dr. Patterson was Professor and Chairman of Biblical Studies at Los Angeles Baptist College and Seminary; Professor at Grand Rapids Baptist Theological Seminary; Professor and Chairman of the Old Testament Studies Division at Northwest Baptist Seminary; Chairman of Biblical Studies and Dean of Graduate Studies at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.  The latter also honored Dr. Patterson with Distinguished Professor Emeritus in 1994.

Dr. Patterson’s accomplishments include a wealth of publications.  His expertise can be found in many published articles and commentaries such as, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary and Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, as well as books on various Minor Prophets.  In addition, he was a contributor and editor for several different Bible translations including the NASB, NIV, and NLT.  Dr. Patterson authored or co-authored several books.  One of these is “Face to Face with God: Human Images of God in the Bible” published by Biblical Studies Press 2008.  He also wrote numerous articles for Grace Theological Journal, the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Biblical Studies Press (Bible.org) and other scholarly journals.

Richard is survived by two daughters, Lois Ann Grill of Greenville, and Nancy Lewis of Woodruff; one son, Rev. John B. Patterson and his wife, Debra, of Woodruff; six grandchildren, Sandi Wilson, Ruth Currin, Lois Lewis, Richard Lewis, John Patterson, Jr. and Kimbraly Patterson; and 7 great-grandchildren.

A private committal will be held prior to the service in Cannon-Byrd Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at Cornerstone Baptist Church starting at 1:00 pm.  The Memorial Service will follow beginning at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to: Cornerstone Baptist Church Building Fund, 8508 Pelham Road, Greenville, SC 29615.

Condolences to the family of Dr. Richard D. Patterson

  • David W Harrison
    3 years ago

    Lois, John,

    SO sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. I know he is in glory at this moment. Our continued prayers will be sent your way. In all the years I have know you, I have admired the strength and the foundation your family is built upon. No matter what has come your way, you all meet it head. Love you all.

    David and Donna

  • Bill and Joan Toyer
    3 years ago

    Weeping with those who weep and rejoicing with those who rejoice=the monopoly of the believer! We send our love and prayers as we remember with great fondness our years together in the mid-60’s.

  • Hi Lois and John: Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you as you both “sorrow not as others who have no hope” and celebrate the incredible life and ministry of your Dad. Dr. Patterson was my Hebrew prof. at LABTS. The foundation he and his equally gifted colleague, Dr. Hermann Austel, gave me was invaluable when I faced qualifying exams for my Th.D. at Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake. Even more significant was your Dad’s commitment to excellence and accuracy in his scholarly Biblical exposition of both the Old and New Testaments. He, along with Dr. Charles Feinberg, became the “gold standard” for many of us when it came to “accurately handling ” or “rightly dividing” the Word of truth.” I have fond memories of the last time I saw your Dad at a restaurant during a conference we attended either in Lynchburg or Greensboro. He was so gracious, encouraging and curious about our ministry at Shasta Bible College & Graduate School. Over the years I was privileged to know him, his role as a model and a mentor continued despite the distances that separated us. His legacy will continue in the lives of both his students and his wonderful family, members of whom know far better than I the scope of Dr. Patterson’s impact on Biblical Christian scholarship. We look forward to the blessed hope of seeing him again in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom he loved so deeply and served so well.

  • Ralph E. Molyneux
    2 years ago

    I’m saddened to hear of Dr. Patterson’s death. He was my professor in seminary in Psalms and Daniel. I have a number of his books on my shelves.

  • Dr. Patterson was a man whose love of the Lord was so evident that I felt like some spiritual blessing was missing when I was not enrolled in one of his classes at Liberty.
    He is now in glory celebrating (John 17:24).

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