East Oregonian newspaper’s former general manager dies at 77

PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) - C.K. “Pat” Patterson, a longtime general manager at the East Oregonian newspaper in Pendleton, has died. He was 77.

Patterson was an intimidating presence with high expectations, but also as a savvy manager who had his employees’ interests in mind.

The East Oregonian reports (https://bit.ly/2eem7SI) he was famous for putting new hires through their paces before warming up to them.

Patterson, who only had an associate’s degree, started at the East Oregonian in 1984 and worked as general manager there until 1993.

He went on as corporate general manager in Salem and general manager of the Capital Press until 1996. He retired in 2005.

Patterson was passionate about his hometown of Pendleton.

He served as Pendleton Chamber of Commerce president in 1991 and helped launch the Round-Up City Development Corporation.