Robert "Beau" Patterson

Guests enjoyed food, music, and dancing while they reminisced about Patterson’s life and work as a presiding judge of the Denver County Court. Mayor Hickenlooper’s City Council Liaison Happy Haynes presented Patterson with a plaque inscribed with his appointment date of July 28, 1985, and his swear-in date of August 14, 1985. Haynes also said the mayor’s office declared December 3 an official appreciation day for Patterson. Later in the evening, Mayor Hickenlooper congratulated Patterson with a toast.

Patterson received a portrait of himself drawn by local artist Robert Evans. Patterson acknowledged New Hope Baptist Church, Zion Baptist Church, and all areas of the Five Points neighborhood for nurturing him and motivating him to be a community activist.

"I owe that community more than I could ever give back," said Patterson.

Guests at Robert "Beau" Patterson’s retirement party reminisced about the judge.

"I remember sitting in court one day waiting for a case. Judge Patterson was finishing up a court trial in which he convicted a young African-American man of sexual abuse. After convicting him, they took a recess and he asked me about his decision. What impressed me was that he wanted my input. Even though he had been judging a long time, he still wanted to know how he was doing."
- Patrick Zachis, Attorney

"Meeting Judge Patterson was definitely meeting a man of substance."
- Charles Cousins

"I had worked with him when he was in civil court. I found Judge Patterson to be very knowledgeable and an inspiration."
- Sherrie Bean

"Beau is a wonderful judge, a good man and a great father – far too good for the state of South Carolina. Based on that, he should not leave Denver. We may just order him into custody to keep him here. Seriously, I am very impressed with everything he has done and wish him all of the best."
- Dr. Wes Joyce

"He has been really a distinguished jurist in this community for quite sometime. He will be sorely missed."
- Wayne Carey

"I have known him for a long, long time and been an admirer of his. I wish him the best."
- Bill Spearman

"I remember when Beau and I studied for the bar exam together and passed it at the same time. Something is wrong if he is retiring now because it is too early for me to start thinking about that. But I wish him all the best."
- Darrell E. Nulan, Attorney

"I was a prosecutor in his court for six months and did a few trials with him. It was always an educational experience, even when he was yelling at me."
- Skip Hibbere, Attorney

"He’s a good friend. I had a lot of fun with him; he’s a very enjoyable person."
- Bob Johnson

"I’m very proud to have worked with him."
- Linda Palmer, Denver County Court Probation Office

"He’s just the best. It’s like that saying, ‘Good, better, best; until your good is better and your better best.’"
- Aunt Prudie Keys

"I’m so excited because he’s excited. We’re starting a different chapter in our lives and I’m looking forward to spending more time with my husband."
- Joyce Patterson, Robert Patterson’s wife

"I will always admire his commitment to public service. And that commitment became a family business."
- Kevin Patterson, Treasurer of Denver Public Schools Board of Education

"One of the greatest guys I have ever known; fair in both the judicial and regular world. Plus he’s from the Five Points."
- Isaac Points, President of Five Points Business Association

"He will always have a very special warm place in our hearts and in our friendship. We love you."
- All the people at the E. Franklin Frazier Literacy Society