"Sharon, as a parent of children who are Patrick's age, I cannot fathom the depth of your grief for your son. Please know of prayer that is being offered for you, your daughter, and Patrick's father in these days. What wonderful memories of him you expressed in his obituary! He was a gifted young man. "
In loving memory of
Patrick M. Stoddard
January 8, 1994 - April 2, 2016
Madison - Patrick Michael Stoddard, age 22, was unexpectedly released from this world on April 2, 2016, at his mother's home in Brooklyn, WI.
Patrick was welcomed to the world with joy on January 8, 1994 in Madison, WI and graduated from Memorial High School in Eau Claire, WI. He received many academic awards and was a member of the National Honor Society and an officer in the Key Club.
He cared about people and had a strong drive for social justice. He was the first to offer to help people with their projects or school work, and enjoyed helping children overcome reading difficulties. He cared deeply about saving the environment for future generations. He had a special love for birds and lizards.
He loved science and math and attended UW-Madison, studying electrical and computer engineering. He enjoyed anything related to computers and technology, having built his first computer when he was 10 years old. He designed circuit boards, assembled solar panel kits, and built robots. One of his hobbies was astrophotography, and he spent a lot of time under the stars with his telescope and imaging equipment.
Although he loved science, his skills and interests went beyond that. He created beautiful watercolors and oils, he enjoyed all kinds of music, and his free spirit let him dance with enthusiasm.
The loss of his creative and compassionate soul leaves a huge emptiness for those left on the earthly plane but he will be welcomed in heaven by those who have preceded him.
Patrick is lovingly remembered by his mother Sharon Stake, sister; Chloe Stoddard, father; Glenn Stoddard, grandmothers; Francis M. Stake and Patricia C. Stoddard, aunts;Dianne Spranger, Sally Stake, and Susan Stoddard, uncles; Michael Stake and Jeffrey Stoddard, and numerous cousins and second cousins, and Dr. Lauren Likkel, his 'star mom.'
He was preceded in death by his uncle, David Stake and his grandfathers; William Stake and Charles Stoddard.
Family and friends may visit at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Rd, Madison on Saturday, April 9, 2016 from 11 a.m. until the time of the Memorial Service at 2 p.m. A reception will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to The Body Dysmorphic Disorder Program at Rhode Island Hospital (Rhode Island Hospital, Coro Center West, Suite 2.030. One Hoppin St, Providence, RI 02903), or The National Alliance for Mental Illness.
Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road
Madison, WI 53705
608-238-3434
Tributes
"Dear family of Pattrick, my heart aches for the loss of your loved one. Words could never adequately express my sentiment. Please accept this note as my heartfelt message of condolence. May all of you be abundantly blessed with peace and understanding. Ruth Wallace Eau Claire, WI"
"My thoughts and prayers are with you. Today and always, may loving memories bring peace, comfort, and strength. I had the privilege of participating in Patrick's learning at South Middle School with the gifted education program where I became aware of his many gifts, talents and interests. A donation has been sent to the Rhode Island Hospital for Body Dysmorphic Disorder Program. Gerry Lee Langer"
" Dear Glenn, Sharon and Chloe our thoughts and prayers are with you and our sincere and deepest condolences "
"My dear Patrick will remain a beacon of light. He touched many lives including my own. I will never gaze at the stars in the same way again for I know my precious nephew that you are now a part of that most glorious Galaxy. All of my Love Aunt Susan"
"My heart and soul are with you today. I have fun memories of Patrick playing with my girls in Minong in 2002 when they were 8 years old. It was quite an adventure for Jessica and Chloe. I remember them hiking, canoeing, swimming, beading and horsing around together in nature. I hold that memory with great affection and love, as I hold your entire family in love and light today. Much love, June"
"My heart and soul are with you today. I have fun memories of Patrick playing with my girls in Minong in 2002 when they were 8 years old. It was quite an adventure for Jessica and Chloe. I remember them hiking"
"I had the privilege of knowing Patrick since we both started school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was one of the brightest, most creative-thinking individuals I have ever met. Patrick genuinely cared about others and put everyone's need in front of his. Patrick never failed to put a smile on my face; his energy lit up the room and it was impossible to not have fun with him around. He taught me how to be more selfless and he brought out the fun side of me I would not otherwise show if it wasn't for him. He was truly one of a kind, and I know for a fact I will never find another friend like him. I love you Patrick, you made my life better in a million ways. Whenever I feel alone, I take comfort in knowing that you're looking down on me. I miss you so much already. PS. Thank you for my first Italian lesson - "Il bambino mangia!""
"Sharon, I'm so very sorry to hear of Patrick's death. May the Lord Jesus give you peace and comfort. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Greg and Kathy Prissel"
"Sharon, like so many others, my heart breaks for you, too. Patrick sounds like a truly amazing young man. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Gretchen Hutterli, Bob Erffmeyer and Hannah"
"Glenn, Sharon and Chloe, my sincere condolences on your tragic loss. It seems that the world has lost a talented young man, so we all mourn with you. From Seamus O'Dowd and all at SKIF-Ireland."
"Sharon, my heart breaks for you. Even though I have not stayed in touch with your family, I have high regard for you all. Reading these tributes, it is clear Patrick grew into a talented and beautiful young man. I am deeply sorry he left this world all too soon and hope you find comfort and peace from the support of those around you and that the wonderful memories you have will carry you a lifetime."
"This news is heartbreaking. Patrick was a great kid and an incredible young man. He and Mitchell hung out together working on computers or taking apart electronics to remake them into something else. I loved the stories they shared with me on these discoveries. He will be missed. Sincerely, Kimberly, Drew and Mitchell Thompson"
"Patrick was an incredible person. He was so smart, giving, funny, and very easy to get along with. I would collect electronics from friends, family, and strangers to see if I could give them a second life and just do experiments. It was always a great time hanging out with Patrick while watching him tear them apart and try to make different fixes. He was incredibly gifted in this area. I was always amazed how intensely he would work on figuring out the problems. The best memory I have of Patrick is when we stayed up all night fixing a computer for my brother and me. I am very thankful to have met Patrick and got to experience his light in this world."
"Patrick was an incredible person. He was so smart, giving, funny, and very easy to get along with. I would collect electronics from friends, family, and strangers to see if I could give them a second life and just do experiments. It was always a great time hanging out with Patrick while watching him tear them apart and try to make different fixes. He was incredibly gifted in this area. I was always amazed how intensely he would work on figuring out the problems. The best memory I have of Patrick is when we stayed up all night fixing a computer for my brother and me. I am very thankful to have met Patrick and got to experience his light in this world."
"We want to express our deepest sympathies to the extended family & friends of Patrick Stoddard. Such sad news indeed. Kandice & I (formerly of Hayward, WI) got to know Patrick through many gatherings with his father Glenn and dear wife Molly. Both are the dearest of friends. Patrick was always such a delight to be around. Sharp (make that VERY sharp!) and quite charming in all ways. Sometimes he may have lost us mere mortals as he explained some expansive theory on the many scientific mysteries of life -- even explaining why there were blue flames in the bonfire we all shared one summer evening by the shores of Twin Lake. He seemed genuinely interested in all views of our individual journeys on this earth - whether simple humor at the dining table, or the latest inside skinny on an interesting law case Glenn was participating in as an attorney. Such was his high level of engagement - most often rare in young man with less maturity. So we feel privileged to have gotten to know him through Glenn & Molly - and we are so deeply saddened that his unique presence will not be around as life moves on here in the physical world - this fact being especially tough for his family & close friends. Though we certainly feel your deep pain & broken hearts May the good Lord lead you all to a place with less tears, and more shared memories of your special times with Patrick. Again, our sincere condolences, Bob & Kandice Falk Pagosa Springs, CO "
"I love you, Patrick. More than mermaids love the sea times infinity with bundles of love on the side. I will love and miss you forever, but your eternal soul and love inspires me everyday. I love you and miss you so much. "
"Sharon and Chloe, I have read all these tributes and regret that I only met Patrick a few times over the years. When last I saw him it was clear he was growing to be a incredible young man. Words cannot express. My heart goes out to you both. My deepest heartfelt condolences. I will miss Saturday but hope to see you in person soon. Much love, June Stoddard"
"Sharon, my heart is breaking. I have so many memories of Patrick, Chole, Max and Bailey playing together. He was such a kind kid. One memory I will share is the time we went camping on Madeline Island and Patrick found a deer in the woods. We are so very sorry for your loss. Ann Jackson"
"Sharon, Glenn, and Chloe, Hugo and I were shocked and saddened to hear of Patrick's death. We remember him, and you as warm, kind and caring people, and our hearts ache for/with you. I remember Patrick and our Max playing together as little boys, and how they laughed together. Patrick was a sweet soul, and we are so very sorry for your loss. Michele and Hugo Stoffel-Rosales"
"Sharon, Chloe, Fran, Mike, Diane, & Sally, So very sorry for your loss of a truly kind and talented son, brother, grandson, & nephew. My heart goes out to each one of you. Thinking & praying for all of you. Patrick is at peace in the arms of our Lord."
"Parents and family of Patrick,we would like to extend our prayers to you at this time of horrible loss.We also lost our son of 27 years to suicide on 11-11-14.We started a sos group in Platteville and a web-page Bens-hope.com if in the following weeks,months,years you want to reach out.So sorry for your loss. Patti&TerryCullen"
"Sharon and Chloe, I am deeply saddened to hear of your loss. I remember Patrick so vividly from my time babysitting there. It seems like only a couple years ago. His creative and fun loving personality shone bright even then. I often think of all of you when I drive past your old neighborhood. You all are in my thoughts and prayers and may you find peace in this time of difficulty. Surely he will always walk with you. Angie (Brown) Gullicksrud"
"Sharon and Chloe, I am so very very sorry to hear the news of Patrick. I wish I had had the opportunity to meet such a wonderful person with many talents and gifts. My heart goes out to both of you. I will be praying for your healing at this difficult time. Jane Marie Pechauer"
"So sorry to hear about Patrick. From what I read, he was a great person taken way too early in life. I'm at a loss for words that can comfort at a time like this. Expressing sympathies for such seems so lacking. I hope that you may get some level of comfort knowing that you and your family are in the thought and prayers of all your friends at such a difficult time. "
"Sharon, Words cannot express my sadness. May the comfort of God help you though this difficult time. May there be comfort in knowing that someone so special will never be forgotten. JoAnn"
"Sharon, I'm so sorry to hear of Patrick's death. My deepest sympathy to you and your family during this difficult time."
"Patrick was a student of mine at South Middle School. Even as a middle school student, Patrick showed so many of the traits listed by others here. He was a highly skilled writer, advanced thinker, and, most importantly, a good person through and through. It was a privilege to be his teacher. My sympathies to his family and friends."
"Sharon, I am so saddened by the news of the passing of Patrick. I know how proud you are of your kids, and I remember us talking about them, often. Hugs and prayers to you at this most difficult time. A great loss. Patti"
"I was lucky to have Patrick as a friend. When we first met, I was instantly comfortable talking to Patrick because of our shared interests in computer hardware and programming. Patrick was always enthusiastic to help out with a project, or just talk about ideas. He was just the kind of guy who wanted to help out with whatever he could. When I moved he immediately offered to help paint. When my hard drive broke he gave me a replacement, and when I asked how much I owed him he just said "don't be silly". He was one of the most genuine and compassionate people I've known. Sharon, I've met you only a couple of times, but I know that you meant the world to Patrick. I'm so sorry for your loss. "
"Our deepest sympathy on your loss. We were so fortunate to meet you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda Bergeman and family"
"Patrick Stoddard was a goddamn gift. In my few years in Madison,we spent many afternoons talking about the world,our frustrations,our perceptions of our bodies,and what we could do to change how things were for us and others. He had a profound sense of social justice. At the time I knew him,he was working on a smartphone app that would connect hungry people in Madison with folks who had too much food in their pantries. He could've sold this to app to a company,or even became an engineer making entirely too much money,but he resisted such a notion. It wouldn't be fair,he said. it wouldn't be right. Patrick was a lot of things,and he wrestled with many of them,but he was good and he sought to make the world good,too. I am sorry for your loss,but know that in his brief time,he made a profound and loving impact upon a good deal of people,their work,and their worlds."
"Sharon, The news of the loss of Patrick is heart breaking. Please know that Ben and I are thinking of you, and your family. Thank you for sharing Patrick's early years with me. _Kim Woodstock"
"Sharon I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My heart feels your pain and my head feels your numbness at this very difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Karen Millet"
"I am so very sorry for your loss. Patrick was a wonderful soul, truly amazing! He will be greatly missed. "
"How very sad for everyone. Patrick had lots of good qualities and he will be missed. I am sorry not to get the opportunity to know him as a young adult and to see him grow into his potential. Chris Stoddard"
"Sharon and Chloe, So many memories of Patrick and all of you. Broken-hearted for the loss of a much loved young man, whom we loved as a sweet neighbor. signe"
"Dear Sharon,Chloe, All my prayers and thoughts to you at this time of great loss. Diane Tschirren"