Paul "Pat" DeWitt

Paul “Pat” DeWitt age 81 of Indianapolis, Indiana, formerly a 50-year resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana, entered his heavenly home on Wednesday afternoon October 9, 2024. Pat had been in the tender care of the staff of Hoosier Village Health Care for much of this past year. Pat fought an extremely difficult battle to overcome serious injuries sustained in a bicycle accident on September 1, 2023.

We celebrate that his injured body is whole again.

Pat was born in Niles, Michigan, on November 5, 1942, to Paul and Lou Dewitt. He graduated from Niles High School in 1960. He then went on to earn a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, graduating in 1964 from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan.

Following college Pat served in the US Army, primarily stationed in the Dominican Republic at the time of civil war in that country. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he enjoyed a long, successful career in Mechanical Engineering. Most of Pat’s career was spent at Magnavox, later becoming Raytheon in Fort Wayne. He was initially in the consumer division of Magnavox on the design team for the popular 1970’s Magnavox stereo units. He later transferred to the military contract division designing sonobuoy submarine detection devices and military radios, several still being used by our armed forces today.

Pat is survived by his wife (best friend, adventure partner, and project planner) Cathline ‘Cathy” DeWitt of 33 years. He has two daughters, Julie (Peter) Davis and Debbie Williams. Pat has also been a loving father figure to his stepsons Matthew (Christy) Hayner and Michael (Heather) Hayner. “Grampy” will also be greatly missed by his beloved grandchildren Laci Hayner, Poppy Davis, Brady Hayner, and Hudson Hayner. Pat is survived by his brother Michael (Virginia) DeWitt and sister-in-law Janette Reynolds and partner Paul Chadwick. 

Pat was preceded in death by brother-in-law Wally Reynolds and sister-in-law Mary Hanna. His nieces and nephews (both by blood and by love) will miss his homemade bubble makers, marshmallow shooters, and potato guns that always seem to show up at gatherings.

Pat has been described by a friend as “Uniquely Pat,” and that was such a good thing. He was a devoutly faithful man, praying out loud every day for each of his four children, their spouses, and children. Even in his last days when he no longer could speak the words, he would nod his head in affirmation when asked if he would like to pray for the kids. Cathy gave him the words that she had heard each morning for the past 33 years. Most of the family and friends reading this were at some point included on Pat’s prayer list.

Another friend characterized Pat as being a Gentleman and Gentle Man. Indeed, he was, although when he seemed to be sitting quietly in a group, he was figuring out a solution for every problem discussed. One of his well-known accomplishments was to find (legal) ways to reduce the population of geese in our old Buckingham Lakes neighborhood.

 With Pat’s passing there is one less expert of the very few worldwide that can authentically restore a 1920’s reproducing player piano. If you asked him what his passion was, he would have answered “music,” whether it be the beautiful automatic musical instruments he collected or the devotion he put into singing in church choir or years in Barbershop chorus groups. He and Cathy identified an old Peter, Paul, and Mary song “Music Speaks Louder Than Words” as “their” song.

Mechanical Engineer Pat was known as someone overly attentive to detail. We will always remember the Christmas gifts being sent to out of town family being so securely packed that they could survive an explosion. When designing and building beds for children in Jamaica, a friend would have to remind him “Pat, we are not making detailed clocks!”

There is so much more, but the heart of Pat was that of a selfless giver. Frugal as he may have been for his own needs, he always stepped up to the plate and gave of himself in Time, Talent, and Treasure. He was committed to touching lives by working and supporting international and local mission work. He was always first to respond to a friend or neighbor with a tree down from a windstorm or any other need he knew about. Because of Pat DeWitt’s patience and time with his two local grandsons, there is another generation that knows about playing with antique toys, how to chop wood, and how to light a fire with a magnifying glass while on a camping trip!

Although difficult to discuss under the circumstances of his accident Pat loved his biking hobby. Riding 20 Hilly Hundred events, the across Iowa RAGBRAI three times, and other week-long camping/biking trips were noteworthy achievements. We are saddened that it was that love of biking that ultimately took his life. When asked why he still rode 50-100 miles at 80 years old he would answer “because it is there.” He loved the challenge. Faith, family, music, giving, and projects, was our beloved “Uniquely Pat.” He will be profoundly missed.

Memorial donations may be made to the Madina Village School and Clinic. Pat and Cathy have worked closely with this Sierra Leone, Africa mission since its beginning. They may be contacted at https://madinavillageschool.org

Information regarding a luncheon will be provided at the Memorial service.