TERRY MOSHER
It’s over. Pat Westhoff, the little man who was a community giant, died this morning (April 6) of cancer. I’m saddened once again that we have lost a good friend, a good man, and a good father, and, well, just good.
That’s life, I know. We come, we stay for awhile, and then we go.
But why does he have to go so early?
PATRICK WESTHOFF
Pat wasn’t very tall (I’m not sure how short, probably five-foot-five or less), and he certainly didn’t weigh much, but he was a heavy hitter in life wherever he walked. My lasting recollection of Pat will always be that smile that laugh, as if every day was a good day, so brighten up.
Life to Pat was to overcome, to walk the talk and have fun at the same time. Nothing in life presented a stiff enough challenge that he couldn’t overcome it and do it with that big smile.
The City of Bremerton or the Kitsap Athletic Roundtable has to do something to honor our little big man. Name one of the recreational softball fields at PendergastRegionalPark or at LionsPark after him. Maybe get a scholarship going to keep his legacy going for future generations?
And when the proper field is selected just don’t rename it the Patrick Westhoff Memorial Field, but somewhere on the field have a plaque with a description of his life – what he did and how he did it.
I remember for years as I drove to the Bremerton YMCA wondering who Homer R. Jones was. That is the name of the street that runs pass the Y in east Bremerton and it wasn’t until I got fully operational on the Internet that one day I looked up Homer Jones and was shocked to learn he was a former mayor of Bremerton.
I’m still somewhat mystified what Homer R Jones did other than be mayor to be honored with a street being named after him. I just learned a short while ago he also was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and served at the same time as the two Senate giants from Washington – Henry “Scoop” Jackson and Warren G. Magnuson ‑ but that’s it.
That’s all I know about Jones. And that isn’t right. All his information and more should be on a plaque somewhere on Homer R. Jones Drive so we know, just as it should be for anybody, including Westhoff, on the building, the field or street that is named after them. Otherwise future generations will never know what these people did.
So, please, if you read this contact the proper city authorities and the KAR and lean on them to do something to honor this little giant. And make sure they add Patrick Westhoff’s entire life story on a plaque.
It’s a heck of a way to start out a Sunday morning, but I’m going to try to go through today with a smile, as Westhoff would. So you try, too.
Be well pal.
Be careful out there.
Have a great day.
You are loved.