Patrick A. "Grandpa Pat" Lathrop, age 86, of West Bend, peacefully passed away at home on Saturday, December 2, 2006.
He was born the beloved son of Alvah and Gertrude (nee Merkel) Lathrop Jr. on August 16, 1920 in Cudahy, Wisconsin. Patrick attended Cudahy High School, where he played football with his future brother-in-law and beloved friend Oscar Greinke. He graduated high school in 1938 and began working at Patrick Cudahy Meat Packing Plant. He also attended Carroll College for two years as a history major before answering the call to active duty during WWII.
He enlisted in the United States Navy on September 10, 1942, where he saw many active battles in the Pacific Theater. His most notable ship was the USS Wake Island, where on 4-3-45 he was injured in a battle at Okinawa. On September 29, 1945, Patrick was honorably discharged from the Navy with the rank of Fire Control man Third Class.
Upon his return from WWII, Patrick married the love of his life, Lois Audrey Littmann. In December of 1946, he began a career working for the Cudahy Police Department as a patrolman. Over the course of his career, he earned the rank of Sergeant and later Detective before his retirement in 1975. Patrick loved police work and so after a year into his retirement he went back to work for 9 more years for the Milwaukee County District Attorney's office as an investigator in the criminal complaint division before finally retiring in 1984.
He was an avid reader, a sports fan, a Civil War buff, and he loved listening to Classical music. Patrick was a member of the Cudahy American Legion Post. Patrick savored his retirement and was always proud of the fact that he could be retired for about as many years as he worked. His later years were spent living with his son Thomas and daughter-in-law Diane and their Golden Retrievers.
Patrick will be deeply missed by his loving sons, Michael (Joan) Lathrop of Vernon, Thomas (Diane) Lathrop of West Bend, and Patrick A. Lathrop Jr. of Milwaukee; and his cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was the beloved brother of Rosemary Greinke of Milwaukee. He is further survived by his nieces and nephews and many other special relatives and close friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his daughter Patricia Davis.
A memorial service in honor of Patrick will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2006 at 7:00 pm at the Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home in West Bend. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday from 4:00 pm until the time of service at 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials to your local American Legion would be greatly appreciated by the family.