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DEB STEARN POLLACK Automotive journalist Patrick Paternie and his wife, Linda.
Longtime Autoweek contributor Patrick C. Paternie, who shared his love of cars with readers for 12 years at this publication and for 25 years with other magazines and in his many books, died on March 10 at age 65.
Paternie had just finished a race in his Porsche 911 at Willow Springs and pulled into his pit area when he suffered a heart attack. Medical crew at the track tended to him on the spot and he was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
"He was doing what he loved," said his wife, Linda, who was at the race with him.
Paternie started writing for Autoweek in 2000, covering a wide variety of subjects, from concours to Corvettes. A search on the Web site shows everything from Ford Mustangs and motorcycles to the N?rburgring 24-hour race and a drive across Russia with Autoweek scribe J. P. Vettraino. But it was Porsches that he clearly loved the best.
"He's been into cars his whole life, since he was 16," said Linda. "But he's always been a Porsche guy."
His profile on shopautoweek.com sums up his broad interests in cars.
"Patrick C. Paternie is a Southern California-based freelance journalist who travels the world covering automobiles, racing and the high-speed lifestyle that surrounds them. 'Over the past two decades I have been able to live out my automotive dreams, including working with my heroes such as Phil Hill and Mario Andretti, attending events such as Goodwood, Le Mans and the Monaco Grand Prix, plus driving exotic classic and contemporary machines on racetracks and roads around the world.' He has written seven books and his articles and photographs have appeared in more than 125 magazines, newspapers, books by other authors and Web sites. 'When I'm not 'working,' I enjoy vintage-racing my 1968 Porsche 911."
In addition to all that, Paternie was one of those car writers sought out when new-car intro programs for the media required that drivers "pair up" in cars, a practice that would place two writers together in the confines of an automobile for long hours. On these trips, Paternie was a joy to ride with. Not only was he a safe and competent pilot, but he was able to hold conversations on a wide range of topics, entertaining his co-driver for what could otherwise be a long day behind the wheel.
"I enjoyed working with him because he was someone who did what he said he would do," Autoweek executive editor Roger Hart said. "He always followed through on assignments. He and I were drive partners on my first European drive event, and since that time, if we were on the same program we tried to partner up. I enjoyed his sense of humor and will miss him."
For that, and for the many articles he contributed over the years, we thank him.
A private family service will be held soon, followed in a couple weeks by a public celebration of life to include his racing and journalism friends.
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