Patrick G. Saunders trained to be a teacher and taught in the Lombard school district for several years. But as the first manager of natural resources and interpretive services for the Downers Grove Park District, the outdoors became his classroom and in it he tried to convey his love of nature to thousands of young schoolchildren.
He worked with the Grove Foundation for Recreation and Downers Grove Elementary School District 58 to bring 5th-grade classes out to study the woodlands, wetlands and meadows.
“And that program still continues today with between 600 and 650 5th graders … every year,” said Karen Shannon, director of facilities.
“He had a love for the natural area and the dedication to it. And he always did the best that he could. He was very dedicated and enthusiastic and willing to try new things,” Shannon said.
Mr. Saunders, 61, of Downers Grove, who retired as manager in March 2002 but remained a Park District employee who mowed lawns, died Sunday, Sept. 5, of a heart attack while on a bike ride in Downers Grove.
An only child born in Columbus, Ohio, he moved with his parents to New Lexington, Ohio, where he graduated from high school. At Ohio State University he received bachelor of science degrees in agriculture and in education in June, 1966. He took a teaching position in Norwalk, Ohio, and married K. Diane, his childhood sweetheart. They lived in Columbus.
After he received a master’s degree in science in natural resources from Ohio State in 1970, the couple moved to Downers Grove.
Lombard School District 44 had started a pilot outdoor education program for 6th-grade students.
“He wanted to combine his joy of teaching and being outside,” said his son Kevin. “The classroom was outside where they learned science and biology. They would have things to look at and use. They, of course, would use the classroom [indoors] in the winter, but it was based on the outdoors.”
In 1989 the school district eliminated the program and required Mr. Saunders to teach a more traditional science class. He chose to retire, his son said.
“He didn’t get to do the outside activities that he loved the most, and so he thought it was time to move on,” he said.
It was then that he joined the Park District. Under his supervision was Belmont Prairie, an Illinois Nature Preserve with 10 acres of prairie and 15 acres of buffer land. He managed and handled the programming for the prairie and Lyman Woods, Shannon said. He also helped develop the master plan for Lyman Woods, a 150-acre nature area.
A former Eagle Scout, Mr. Saunders often made a special effort to help with Eagle Scout projects.
Although he was notorious for not wanting to be indoors, the holidays were the exception, his son said.
“He would start with the decorations right after Thanksgiving; a snowman for the front yard and a village under the Christmas tree,” his wife said. “And he was quick to point out the simple things in life.”
Other survivors include two daughters, Susan and Erin; two more sons, Doug and John; and four granddaughters.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in Hallowell and James Funeral Home, 301 75th St., Downers Grove. A funeral mass will be said at 10 a.m. Thursday in Divine Savior Church, 6700 Main St., Downers Grove.
