A Hawk goes to Heaven
GALLATIN COUNTY – As word spread early Wednesday of the passing of longtime Gallatin County coach and former Shawneetown police chief Robert "Radar" Patton, friends and colleagues recalled a man whose kindness to others and devotion to students he coached was unparalleled.
"A friend of mine called me and asked 'Did you hear Radar passed away?' and I had not. It was quite a wakeup call," former sports editor for the Daily Register and Eldorado Daily Journal Phil Knapper said.
Patton, 60, died early Wednesday morning at his home.
"It was a shock to hear," Knapper, who now lives in Charlotte, N.C., said. "You never expect a guy who is larger than life to be gone. Radar was always a guy I could call. He knew everyone and everyone knew him. He was just a great guy, a great coach and a great friend."
Eldorado Police Chief Shannon Deuel, who was a professional colleague of Patton's, said he heard the call for an ambulance on his radio.
"I heard the call go out – the distress call – but I didn't know who it was," Deuel said. "My officer found out and called and told me later.
Deuel, who frequently worked with Patton during a year spent in Gallatin County as part of the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, lamented Patton's passing.
"That whole county and the community lost one of most knowledgeable law enforcement officers who ever lived," he said. "Any time you needed something, you could call Radar and he would point you in the right direction or tell you where you needed to go find information. I send my condolences to his family from the Eldorado Police Department."
Shawneetown's Fire Chief, Terry Golden, was a lifelong friend as well as professional colleague. He said it was difficult to imagine the reality of Patton's death.
"Well he was a wonderful friend, that's for sure," Golden said. "He and I were born and raised together. We were both the same age. Of course he was police chief in Shawneetown and I've been fire chief there for 30-plus years. He and I worked real close together. He is going to be very sadly missed in numerous ways. This is a great loss to the community and a great loss period."
Besides the years as Shawneetown's police chief, Patton was known equally well for his time coaching the Gallatin County Hawks and Lady Hawks.
Patton was named head boys' basketball coach at Gallatin County in the 2001-02 season, replacing longtime coach Bob Dallas. In the 2012-13 season, Gallatin County had arguably one its best runs under Patton, finishing 27-4 and won the Greater Egyptian Conference, IHSA Class 1A Regional and Sectional, before falling to Nokomis at the Super-Sectional on the campus of Southern Illinois University. It was the first trip to the Super-Sectional since 1974 when the school was Ridgway High School. Patton continued to coach the Hawks until the 2013-14 season and then took over the reins of the girls' basketball program, a team that fell in this year's IHSA Class 1A Sectional, after winning the regional. Patton was to be the girls' softball coach this season, a position he had held for the last few years.
Eldorado High School Superintendent and Principal Ryan Hobbs worked under Patton early in Hobbs' career from 1998 to 2006. During those last four years, Hobbs was the junior varsity coach while Patton was the varsity coach. Hobbs said Patton left a distinct impression.
"He had a wonderful relationship with his players," Hobbs said. "He was a really great person and a really great friend. He was the type of guy that any time of day, if he knew you needed something, he would help. You sure hate to lose someone like that."
Other figures in Southern Illinois athletics also had kind words to say. "You can't think of Gallatin County athletics and not think of Radar Patton. I remember growing up and him coaching his son versus my little league team, followed by me getting the chance to coach against him the past few seasons. I've known him my whole life and will surely miss him on the sidelines," Harrisburg head girls' basketball coach Jake Stewart said.
EHS Athletic Director Greg Goodley agreed. "Radar had a outgoing personality – always good for a laugh. Always was looking for a conversation and was always willing to give his opinion  Radar was easy to work with and he will be missed," Goodley said.
"Such a nice man who truly loved coaching," West Frankfort assistant boys' basketball coach Mike Karoski said.
Former Illinois High School Association official Roger Grumley fondly recalled the Gallatin County coach. "He cared for his players beyond words. He would buy clothes or food for them if they needed it. He would find a roof for them if they were in need and he did all this without anyone knowing about it. He did not publicize it. He did it because he truly loved his players," Grumley said.
Vienna girls' head coach Jamie Kerley likewise offered praise for Patton. "I am shocked and saddened at the passing of a man that I've known for two-thirds of my life. There are few people who ever get to be known by a single name: Frazier, Ali, Jordan, Magic, Radar – for that alone he is one of the greats.  Although I never played for Radar I would have loved to have the fire that he coached with and the intensity that he demanded from his players is something I always admired him for."