Neil R. Patterson, 77, of Loveland, Ohio, died Saturday June 9, 2007 At Bethesda North Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born June 17, 1929 in Highmore South Dakota to George and Ethyl Patterson. He married Elizabeth Michael on June 10, 1954. He was raised in Brookings, South Dakota and eventually attended South Dakota State University graduating in 1951 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Later that same year he joined the United States Air Force And served his country in the Korean Conflict. He returned home in 1953 And was stationed at Wright –Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton , Ohio. Until his honorable discharge in 1954. He then joined the Trane Company located in La Crosse, Wisconsin where he was employed for the next 40 years. He held several positions within the Trane Company most notably the Manager of Applications Engineering, Manager Of Building Systems Engineering, Director of Integrated Comfort Systems, and Corporate Director of Market Development and Product Planning. He was also a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Wisconsin. It was while employed at the Trane Company that he persued one of his professional passions joining and participating in The American Society of Heating , Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). He helped start and became President of the La Crosse Chapter of ASHRAE in 1972. During the next 45 years he would either participate on or chair more than 35 Technical and Standards committees for ASHRAE. He was named an ASHRAE Fellow in 1984 and in 1985 he became a member Of the Society's Board of Directors. His participation in ASHRAE culminated in 1993-1994 when he was elected the International Society's President during their 100 Year Centennial Celebration Year. He was also a distinguished lecturer speaking at more than 15 of the most notable engineering colleges and universities throughout the United States. He received many honors during his career; being named a "Friend of the University of Wisconsin – Engineering Extension Office" in 1983, A Distinguished Mechanical Engineer in 1988 and a Distinguished Engineer in 1996 at South Dakota State University, and a Scholarship in his name was Established at the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2003 to help further the education of young engineering students. He also published numerous articles in leading technical and trade magazines. Neil lived in La Crosse, Wisconsin for over 40 years. He was president of his church congregation, participated in the Boy Scouts of America, and enjoyed the outdoors especially golf, hunting and fishing. He retired in 1994 from the Trane Companyand located to Loveland , Ohio with his wife Elizabeth to be closer to family. His Brothers George,Jr of Brookfield, Wisconsin , and Keith of Brookings, South Dakota preceded him in death. Neil is survived by his wife Elizabeth , His son David and Daughter –In-Law Laurey of Symmes Township, Ohio, His son Steven of Berkley Michigan, His Grandson Michael of McLean Virginia, and several nieces and a nephew. The family asks that memorials be sent to the Neil Patterson Scholarship Fund at the University of Wisconsin – Madison Wisconsin.