Patrick died on 22 January 2009, ten weeks after a severe stroke. He was 84-years-old and lived in Dursley, Gloucestershire.

He was born in Penzance on 23 May 1924 and was educated at the Penzance County Grammar School and then Bristol University where he qualified LDS in 1948.

In his student days he was a member of the University Army Training Corps, but having nearly died from bronchopneumonia in early childhood and with recurrent attacks of chest infection until his mid twenties, he was rejected for full military service.

After graduation Patrick became an assistant in a general dental practice for a year or two: a field about which he was not very enthusiastic. In 1953 he was appointed School Dental Officer with Gloucestershire County Council, a post which he much enjoyed.

In 1971 he was awarded the DDPH by Birmingham University and for two years up to 1974 he was Deputy Principal Dental Officer for the County.

In 1974 the NHS took over the public health dental service and he was promoted to Senior Dental Officer, a post which he retained until his retirement in 1985.

Patrick had a happy retirement with his garden and he used his dental mechanical skills to make jewellery. He enjoyed walking and was interested in the local canals. He leaves wife Margaret, a daughter, three sons and four grandchildren.