Craig Allen Patterson

Craig Patterson, of Park City, Utah, died on April 11th, 2013 in a tragic avalanche accident in the Wasatch Backcountry, while working for the Utah Department of Transportation. He was born on April 3rd, 1979 in Detroit Michigan, to Donna and Lewis Patterson. Craig grew up in Pittsburgh, Little Rock and Lausanne Switzerland and developed an early love of the mountains. He attended North Allegheny High School in Wexford PA and Miami University of Ohio, obtaining a degree in Geology. After completing a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in the spring of 2001, he moved to Alaska to be an avalanche instructor and guide. He not only fell in love with Alaska but also his future wife Renae. Together they moved to Utah. Craig spent time working for Black Diamond Equipment and continued his passion for the mountains, where his accomplishments included climbing and skiing in South America, and summiting Denali. He became a Utah Mountain Adventures guide and avalanche safety instructor. He eventually found his dream job as an avalanche forecaster for the Utah Department of Transportation in Provo Canyon. This year he transitioned to Big Cottonwood and Little Cottonwood Canyons where he continued as a forecaster.

Craig was truly an adventurer and his accomplishments as a skier, climber, avalanche forecaster and educator are only rivaled by his achievements as a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. There was so much more to him than just outdoor exploits. Craig was a true romantic. He had an insurmountable passion for music, food, and unique life experiences. Craig embraced everything from the solitude of a long trail run to the festive energy of a family raft trip. So many memories floating down too few rivers. Craig hoped to instill this appreciation for all facets of life in his 6 year old daughter Kaya.

Craig will be remembered for his enthusiastic spirit and generous character. Besides his wife Renae and daughter, he is survived by his parents Donna and Lewis Patterson of Sewickley PA, his sister and brother-in-law Lauren and Jason Ralph and his niece Teagan of Delmar NY, grandmother Lorraine Sawicki of Glenshaw PA, father-in-law and mother-in-law Craig and Rosanne Power of Olathe KS, brother-in-law Brandon Power of Park City UT and sister-in-law Erin Power Castle Rock, CO.

A memorial service to celebrate Craig's life will be held on Thursday, April 18th at 10:00 am in the Albion Grill at Alta Utah. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to the Craig Patterson Memorial Fund at any Key Bank or mailed to the Craig Patterson Memorial Fund, 520 Crestview Dr. Park City, UT 84098. Memories and Pictures can be seen and shared by friends and family at: http://www.collemory.com/craig or at http://craigpattersonmemories.blogspot.com/