Roll Call Tribute

Donald Richard Patten 

August 28, 1938 - March 28, 2025 

Donald Richard Patten passed away on March 28, 2025.

Born on August 28, 1938, in Kansas City, Missouri, Don was the son of Thomas James Patten, a lawyer, and Dorothy Jones, a homemaker.

Don Patten received his Ph.D. at Texas A&M University and served as Curator of Mammalogy at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History. He taught graduate students at the University of Southern California and became President of the American Cetacean Society. Not only was he an avid whale conservationist, but he also had a second career as a tax preparer and investment advisor.

Don’s first marriage was to LaDonna Taylor and they had two sons. After their divorce, Don married Judy Astone. They explored many places together, including trips to Alaska, France, and Senegal. His favorite hobbies included: electric toy trains, investing, coin collecting, reading and camping.

Don was preceded in death by Judy, his wife of 45 years. He is survived by his sons, Thomas W. and James Patten, his stepchildren, Mike, Toni, and Jenny Astone and their children. The family will honor Don’s memory on June 21 at Judy and Don’s celebration of life.