Buried Treasure

It's my first week at Write Club, so I must write. This is my entry for RM Stockton's Write Club Prompt 1: Write an Obituary.

Patrick Schofield, 79, of Stanford, California passed away peacefully Thursday evening, January 4, 2024, following a courageous battle with lung cancer. His passing was attended by close friends, and his final hours were filled with cheerful reminiscences.

Patrick was born on June 11, 1944 to parents Richard and Linda. From an early age, Patrick showed a keen interest in discovering the buried secrets of the world around him. Keeping one eye on the ground, Patrick accumulated a small hoard of all things dropped, lost, and discarded. He was fascinated, he said, with what people leave behind.

In adulthood, Patrick followed his passion to Stanford University, graduating first with a Bachelor's degree and then a Master's degree in the field of anthropology. At age 36 Patrick achieved PhD in Archaeology. Over the following decades, students and young professionals benefited greatly from the experience and guidance of "Doc Pat."

At age 44, Patrick founded the Stanford Scrounging Society. He sought to supplement his collection of odd things with a collection of odd friends who shared his love of discovery. They could frequently be found out and about, on grass and sand and sidewalk, enjoying each others' company on their "treasure hunts." As much as Patrick enjoyed the thrill of a major archaeological dig, he loved to explore the untold stories waiting just beyond his doorstep.

Patrick is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Linda.

He is survived by a great many friends, students, and colleagues who accompanied Patrick on digs from across the world to his own back yard. His collections of things left behind, coins, documents, jewelry, stones, trinkets, mementos, bones, teeth, and the occasional glass eye, Patrick now leaves behind to them.

A viewing will be held Saturday afternoon from 2 to 5 PM at Patrick's home. Funeral services will be held at St. Raymond Catholic Church this Sunday at 10 AM. Following services, Patrick will make his final journey to Holy Cross Cemetery, a place that brought him much comfort in life and no doubt holds many memories for those closest to him.

At the end of his life, Patrick was proud to make an anatomical gift of his brain to further scientific understanding of neurological disorders. To honor Patrick's dedication to what we leave behind, organ donation registration information will be available at the viewing and the service.

"Keep digging."