Richard “Ricky” Ward Patterson, 65, of Slidell, Louisiana, beloved husband, father, son, brother, and uncle passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, in Slidell surrounded by loved ones.

In 1983, Ricky married the love of his life, Valerie Gonzales, in Slidell. Together, they shared 43 years of marriage and built a life centered around their family and their love for one another.

Richard was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Megan Patterson, mother, Delphine Patterson.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Valerie Patterson; his daughter, Victoria “Vicky” Rauber (Ron), father, Berry Patterson Sr, brother Berry Patterson Jr. Richard graduated from Slidell High School in 1979. While still in high school, he attended Votech Trade School, where he earned his welding certification. Following high school, Ricky began his career working in the shipyards as a welder.

In 1983, Ricky began a career with Lockheed Martin in support of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program. He worked as an Advanced Manufacturing Welding Technologist with the Production Operations Group and as a Manufacturing Mechanical Test Technician with Technical Operations. In 1986, Ricky was one of only five employees selected to work at the Lockheed Space Center in Denver, Colorado.

After returning to Louisiana, Ricky worked as a welder for Textron Marine and Land Systems. In 1996, he returned to Lockheed Martin as a Senior Laboratory Technician IV in the Materials and Processes Laboratory, where he continued his work until his final days with the company.

In this role, Ricky was responsible for testing and evaluating materials used on the Space Shuttle External Tank. Working alongside NASA and Lockheed Martin engineers, he performed critical tensile, compression, shear, bonding, and failure-analysis testing in accordance with ASTM standards. His work involved specialized MTS equipment and cryogenic materials, including liquid nitrogen and liquid helium.

Ricky also served as a “Missile Mother,”. A position that carried considerable responsibility and reflected his extensive knowledge of the External Tank. In this role, he helped maintain oversight of an individual External Tank as it progressed through the many stages of manufacturing, testing, inspection, and preparation for delivery. 

He followed the tank from the manufacturing floor through its completion as flight hardware. He developed an in-depth familiarity with the tank and the processes required to prepare it or flight.

Ricky took great pride in his work and in knowing that his efforts contributed to ensuring that the materials and hardware used in the Space Shuttle External Tank met the demanding safety and performance requirements for human spaceflight. His dedication to his work remained strong throughout his career.

Outside of his career, Ricky had many passions and interests. At the age of 15, he taught himself to play guitar, beginning a lifelong love of music. He continued playing until he was no longer able to do so. Music was something he loved to share, and he passed that gift along by teaching his wife, Valerie, and his daughter, Vicky, how to play as well.

Ricky enjoyed working on vehicles, following sports, fishing, listening to and playing music, and exploring the diverse culinary arts. He had a curious spirit and took pleasure in learning, creating, fixing things, and sharing what he knew with others.

Above all else, Ricky was a devoted husband and father. His family meant more to him than anything in this world. He loved his wife and his children deeply, and the love he gave to his family was at the heart of who he was. He treasured the time spent with them and took great pride in the people they became.

Ricky will be deeply missed by his family, friends, former coworkers, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, craftsmanship, music, teaching, and, most importantly, love. He was a man who took pride in his work, shared his knowledge freely, and loved his family with all his heart.

His memory will live on in the music he taught his family to play, in the lessons he shared, in the things he built and repaired, and most of all, in the hearts of those he loved. May he rest peacefully, reunited with his beloved daughter, Megan, and his mother, Delphine.

A Graveside Service will be held in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 1751 Gause Blvd West, Slidell, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. There will be a Celebration of Life to following at 1578 W Hall Ave Slidell, LA (KC Hall in the Magnolia Building).

Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Inc., Slidell, LA.