Remembering Midge (Duncan) Patten, ’60, 1943 - 2023

Dear Quaker Times:

It is with profound sadness that I am notifying the Quaker Times of the loss of a sister and a special Franklin alum with the passing of Margaret (Midge) (Duncan) Patten, class of 1960.  Midge passed away last April, after battling cancer for well over a year, and inspired many friends as well as her extended family, with how to be graceful under difficult circumstances.

Jimmie Patten, ‘58 (left), and Midge (Duncan) Patten, ‘60

Midge became involved with amateur golf and rose through the United States Golf Association (USGA) ranks along with her husband, Jimmie Patten, class of 1958. Both became nationally recognized USGA officials. A wonderful tribute to Midge is available at https://thepnga.org/news/remembering-midge-patten/. She literally changed the game of competitive golf, as previous to her time, “rules officials” had the reputation of not trying to help golfers, but to catch them breaking the rules and administering penalties. Midge took the high road and would hold seminars before competitions to inform the competitors of hazards and potential problems and always invite them to summon her or husband, Jimmie, for a rules interpretation before committing a violation.

Cover of Pacific Northwest Golfer, featuring those honored for serving with distinction in 2000.  Midge Patten shown with Dr. Herman (Herm) Dahl (left) and  Dr. Robert Jacobs (right).

Midge and Jimmie also orchestrated several of the Franklin alumni golf gatherings, ‘back in the day.’  Both of them made their marks in local and national golf tournaments.

 Sincerely yours,

Roy “Bud” Duncan, Class of ’62