Patrick McAllister

Patrick McAllister, 59, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, June 30 after fighting Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for more than 21 years. According to his wishes, Pat's body has been donated to the Rocky Mountain MS Tissue Bank to continue his fight. The tissue bank is one of the largest MS-exclusive brain banks in North America and scientists around the world use it to support research to find the cause and cure of MS. Born in 1952 in Gary, Indiana, Pat was the first child of the late Frederick (Mac) McAllister and Peggy (Clauer) McAllister who survives. Pat grew up in St. Joseph, Michigan with three siblings: Jean, Jack and Jim, who all survive. Pat was a graduate of Saint Joseph High School, and attended Grand Valley State University. In the midst of a lake-effect blizzard in November 1977, Pat married Jennifer “Jenna” Betz who survives. Pat and Jenna moved to Philadelphia, PA where Pat worked as a Computer Analyst for Commodore Business Machines which developed the Commodore 64. When Pat's health worsened, the family returned to St. Joseph, MI. Pat and Jenna have two daughters: Katie who lives in Knoxville, TN and Christine in Austin, TX. Pat was always full of insatiable curiosity and loved to analyze and solve complex problems. As a young man he could repair any machine, from toasters and lawn-mowers to automobiles and once a church organ! As his dexterity diminished due to the disease, his mind remained sharp and his intellectual curiosity never faded. Pat was an avid sailor and after he became wheelchair-bound, he designed a mechanical winch system that allowed him to board the sailboat. Pat loved music of all kinds. During his earlier years he also enjoyed bicycling, hiking, camping, and astronomy. He loved good food and was always eager to try something new. He loved to learn and read- when his eyesight failed, audio books and National Public Radio became his source for knowledge and information. Pat's unflappable sense of humor, constant optimism, and strong faith inspired many people and allowed him to outlive the doctor's expectations for many years. The family will receive visitors Tuesday, July 5 from 6:00-8:00pm at Fairplain Presbyterian Church, 210 West Napier Ave., Benton Harbor, MI 49022. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Wednesday, July 6 at 11:00am also at Fairplain Presbyterian Church. Donations in Pat's memory may be made to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society or National Public Radio (NPR). Those wishing to share a memory online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.