Longtime AUSA Volunteer Leader Dies
Longtime AUSA Volunteer Leader Dies

Retired Col. Ian Patterson, an Association of the U.S. Army life member who also was a key financial adviser to the association’s Board of Directors, died Dec. 25. He was 80.
Patterson served AUSA for more than two decades. Beginning in 1999, he was a member of the association’s Advisory Board of Directors, which supported what was then known as AUSA’s Council of Trustees. He was then appointed to the Leadership Committee and, later, to the Finance and Audit Committee, which supports and provides advice to the Board of Directors, AUSA’s governing body.
As Finance Committee chair, Patterson advised board members on the association’s audit and budget requests. He worked with AUSA’s auditors as well as with AUSA leadership on understanding and recommending approval of the association’s budget proposals. He completed his tenure in 2020.
“Ian was a dedicated and selfless member of the AUSA family who continued to serve and support the Army even after his service in uniform,” said Manisha Patel, AUSA’s chief financial officer. “His steady guidance and leadership were invaluable to our team and our Board of Directors. He will be greatly missed.”
Patterson, of Ashburn, Virginia, joined the Army as a second lieutenant in 1966. He served one tour in Vietnam, was a military adviser to the Imperial Iranian Air Force in 1979 in Tehran, was deputy chief of staff for the 101st Airborne Division and commanded a HAWK missile battalion in Germany, according to his obituary.
After the first Gulf War, Patterson led the staff responsible for Kuwait’s post-war construction.
In his final Army role, Patterson led the Defense Supply Service. He retired from the Army in 1994.
A funeral service is scheduled for Feb. 26 at Arlington National Cemetery. More information is available here.