Special-Effects Man R.H. Patterson Dies at 74

Services will be conducted today for veteran movie special-effects man R.H. (Pat) Patterson, who suffered a massive stroke and died just hours before he was expected to leave for Las Vegas to begin work on the film “Back to the Future III.”

Patterson died at his Costa Mesa home Tuesday afternoon, his daughter Barbra Patterson said Friday. He was 74.

Patterson was probably best known for helping to stage the jarring and memorable final scene in the movie “Bonnie and Clyde,” in which the two characters are killed in a gunfire barrage. He also worked on numerous other hits, including “The Blues Brothers” and “Escape From New York,” his daughter said.

Other films he worked on include “Oklahoma Crude” and “Carousel,” as well as the television shows “Gunsmoke” and “Death Valley Days.” Barbra Patterson said her father especially enjoyed working on movies starring John Wayne. “They were very close friends,” she said.

Patterson was born in Brazil, Ind., in 1915 and moved to Idaho in 1932, where he was a disc jockey for a few years before coming to California with his wife. He began his career in the movie industry as a studio carpenter.

Patterson is survived by his wife, Irene Marie, a son, four daughters, 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. today at Pierce Brothers Bell Broadway mortuary in Costa Mesa.