Patrick began his birding with Bob Ramsey when he was only eight. Bob had a junior naturalist program at Snake Lake Nature Center, and Patrick was his star student.  As Patrick’s knowledge of birds grew, he became an outstanding birder. He was in demand as a leader of field trips for Audubon and WOS. He was in his element when he was birding.

In recent years he shared his love of birds through his photography, which he posted on his website.   Patrick will be sorely missed by the birding community.

Remembrances in Patrick’s name may be made to
    Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge,
    100 Brown Farm Road
    Olympia, WA 98516.

Nisqually was always one of Patrick’s and Ruth’s favorite birding spots.

Dennis Paulson
1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115
206-528-1382

Patrick and his mother, Ruth, attended the WENAS campouts almost every year, and led field trips (especially the owling trips).

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan at Washington State Wenas campout 2003
Photo by Sherry Hagen

Patrick Sullivan Young Birders' Fund

With the approval of the committee overseeing its management and the Board of the Washington Ornithological Society, the year-old Young Birders' Fund has been re-named the Patrick Sullivan Young Birders' Fund. Established and supported by Andy Stepniewski's generous contribution of royalties from sale of A Birder's Guide to Washington, this fund supports scholarships to young birders in Washington.

Patrick epitomized the development of a young birder utilizing knowledge and skills from camps and classes to become a role model of learning and giving back to the birding community. Leading field trips and writing detailed trip reports were some examples of his helping others find birds across the state.

Financial contributions to the Patrick Sullivan Young Birders' Fund can go directly to:

Washington Ornithological Society
12345 Lake City Way NE, #215
Seattle WA 98125