May 1st, 2014, Thomas “Chase” Patrick IV passed away at the age of 96. On that day, Helena lost a loyal son and one of its most dedicated historical preservationists.
Chase was born in Salt Lake City on June 02, 1917 to Thomas C. Patrick III and Alice B. (Barton) Patrick, moving back to Helena with his parents by the time he was a year old. Eventually the family settled into a house on Fifth Avenue where Chase grew up near by to such notables as (the future) Myrna Loy, Gary Cooper, L. Ron Hubbard and his own grandfather, the renowned photographer G. B. Sproule. Later in life he enjoyed taking anyone interested along the paper route he walked, with his Scottie dog Jackpot, through the old neighborhood. During his youth he pursued such interests as tennis, skiing, ‘killing’ golf balls, playing the harmonica and strumming on the guitar. Most of all he loved dancing, which led to a life changing event in 1947…
One of Chase’s favorite hobbies was working with wood and something he did throughout his life. An early project was completely hand building a log cabin with his parents and younger brother Warren in the 1930s. Later endeavors included many pieces of furniture, an Eli Terry clock complete with wooden works and lastly, possibly his finest xyloglyphic effort – a violin.
“Patrick”, as he often referred to himself, served his country during WWII stateside in the Army for “Three years, six months and one day.” Though definitely a patriot, Chase was somewhat of a reluctant soldier and remembered his service days mostly with wry humor. He held such auspicious positions as desk clerk, mess master and MCP (military civilian police). The latter position brought him into personal contact with foreign POW’s where he gained knowledge of a lesser known side of war and an appreciation for other ethnic cultures.
When the war ended, Chase returned to Helena where he was employed by Blue Cross for a while. It was during this time that he danced his way into Anne Wolford’s heart during an event at the Episcopal Church on Park Avenue. He married his beloved Annie at the same church in August of 1947. In 1948 Chase returned to work at the First National Bank where he had been employed before entering the Service. Many people still remember him from the time he was a loan officer there –though now the demographic is more often the children of those for whom he approved loans. In 1949, Chase and his growing family settled into an old, neglected brick Victorian on Sixth Avenue within view of his parent’s house on Fifth. Chase’s talent for finding and ‘liberating’ discarded building materials from around town aided him greatly in remodeling. A lot of Helena’s history was lovingly and beautifully blended into the house on Sixth over the next 30 years.
The 1950s were spent mainly working at the bank and raising this young family. As an employee of the bank, Chase was encouraged to join civic organizations, which he did. In 1958 he became a member of the Helena Kiwanis Club and was a faithful member for 50 years. In the early 1960s, he championed the creation of the Tour Train, fashioning the first model to fit over his son’s toy Jeep. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Chase ran for the Legislature. He served three consecutive terms but finally decided that politics too often conflicted with his basic life tenets. He also served, often as treasurer and sometimes as president, on the boards of the Jaycees, The Helena Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Shoppers, the Community Chest (now the United Way), the Girl Scouts, Governor’s Mansion, the 4-H Club, the American Heart Association, and had a 25-year association with the Deaconess Home for homeless and troubled youth. In 1980, Chase retired from the bank and could concentrate on the most special project of his life…
For almost three decades, Chase’s biggest passion and source of accomplishment was the preservation of the Civic Center building. He was one of the founding board members in 1972, serving as it’s director for the first two years. He donated countless hours to renovation projects with Gery Carpenter, and over the years there’s no telling how much well aged dust and debris he wore home to Anne. The Civic Center was so much a second home to Chase that the Auditorium was dedicated to him in 1993. He remained actively involved in remodeling projects until Anne needed him more in 2003, when he then retired from the board.
Remembering and missing Chase will be his daughters, Sheila and Noelle; son Thomas Chase V; two granddaughters, Michelle and Kelli; five grandsons, Karl, Thomas C. VI, MacRae, Chase Jr. and Andrew-and many many friends. The family requests any commemorative donations be made to either: Civic Center Board, P. O. Box 272, Helena, Mt. 59624 or Helena Kiwanis Foundation, P.O. Box 4178, Helena, Mt. 59604. A celebration of his life will be 12:00 p.m., Saturday, June 14th, in the Ballroom of the Civic Center, 340 Neill Ave. Helena, MT, with a reception immediately following the celebration of his life at the Civic Center. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Chase.
Norman & Darlene Scott says
Sheila, You and your family have my deepest sympathy. Even though we know this day is coming, it is so hard to prepare for and so sad when it does. May your many memories help to get you through this harsh time.
Darlene Miller-Scott
Barb Olsen says
Chase was a gentle, thoughtful man who enriched the lives of so many Helena citizens during his long life of service. He will be missed by so many of us whose lives he touched. His service to our community, especially in the form of his hands-on transformation of the beautiful Helena Civic Center, will be his very much appreciated and long-lasting memorial. I’m so very sorry for your loss, but comforted too because you have so many wonderful memories of your dad to carry with you.
Jane LaMoure says
My memories of Chase bring a smile to my face. I had the utmost pleasure of working with him at 1st National Bank when I got out of high school. When I went to Disneyland I purchased a cute little Mickey Mouse figurine and brought it back for Chase to add to his MM collection. We had lots of fun working together at the bank and he was a wonderful human being. When I would see him at different functions at the Civic Center, he always remembered me. My sincerest sympathy goes out to all his family.
Richard Van Nice says
I have the fondest memory of Chase and my dad (Clem Van Nice) on the steps of the
now City/County building. They were windup pitching bags of Kiwanis peanuts, as a
fund raiser, and both had great, warm, and friendly smiles on their faces. He will be
missed, remembered and cherished. Peace to his family and friends.