Dr. Bert Patrick, long-time Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures, passed away at 4:10 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, after a long struggle with metastatic melanoma cancer. Although originally an Okie, Bert, his first wife, Lura, and their son, Michael, came to Pitt State in 1969, when it was then Kansas State Teacher's College of Pittsburg, from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He earned both his MA and PhD at that institution.
The academic life was the perfect calling for Bert. He loved every aspect of it, but especially the interaction with students in and out of the classroom. Helping students achieve their full academic potential, whatever their specific field of study, gave him the deepest professional and personal satisfaction. Another fruit of these labors was that Bert was chosen to receive the Outstanding Teacher Award in 1992 and was nominated for the same on several other occasions.
One of Bert’s great passions was international travel. He and Lura first undertook such a trip in 1976 to visit her family in Sweden. This eventually led to Bert directing numerous international study programs for students that continued for more than a quarter a century, to Mexico, Spain, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Russia. Students lived with local families and then met daily for courses. Excursions to other sites, such as museums, crafts’ villages, archeological zones, bull fights, volcanoes, Gibraltar or Morocco, for example, further enriched their learning experiences. Former PSU President Dr. Steve Scott participated in one of Bert’s programs to Costa Rica.
One of the greatest sources of pleasure for Bert was attending the many theatrical productions that Michael and their daughter, Kristina performed in, either at Playhouse on Broadway, Pittsburg High School, or Pittsburg Community Theater. Their performances as Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz, Michael’s performances as Billy in “On Golden Pond” and Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and Kristina’s as Della in O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” were some of his most treasured.
Bert was born on Dec. 26, 1940, in the family home in Tulsa. He loved attending Tulsa Oiler’s baseball games as a kid and treasured seeing Ted Williams hit the game winning homer in an exhibition game against the Oilers in 1953 as the Red Sox travelled north to end their preseason schedule.
His love for the game continued into high school where he was a standout pitcher and shortstop for the Sapulpa (OK) High School Chieftains and summer American Legion team.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Bea Strickland Patrick; his son, Michael; and many other relatives. He is survived by his beloved wife, Julia Rameeva Patrick of Pittsburg and Kazan, Russia; and his son-in-law and daughter-in-law, Ruslan and Yulia Rameeva, and beloved granddaughters, Diana and Liana Rameeva of Kazan, Russia. He is also survived by his ex-wife, Lura of Pittsburg; their daughter and son-in-law, Kristina and Bob Meiers and beloved grandson Beckett of Lees Summitt, MO; sister, Barbara Patrick Fulps of Tulsa; brother, Bailey Patrick (Cheryl) of Bristow, OK; nephew Brian (Kym) and beloved grand-niece, Olivia of Bristow, OK; nephew, Rick (Kelly) Barnett and beloved grand-nephew, Josh of Sapulpa, OK and niece, Misty Burke of Sapulpa, OK, and numerous cousins and grand-nephews and grand-nieces.
Bert has been entrusted to Brenner Mortuary for cremation. A Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at McCray Hall at Pittsburg State University with Chaplain Pete Mayo officiating. Burial will take place at a later date in Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Donations in his memory and in memory of Michael and honor of Kristina may be made out to the USD 250 Board of Education (then indicate it is to the Patrick Family Fine Arts’ Scholarship), either in person at the USD 250 Board of Education Office, 510 E. Deill St., or by mailing a check there, or by calling the Board Office at (620) 235-3100.
