Patrick J. Fowler
| Era | Vietnam War |
|---|---|
| Branch | U.S. Army |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Wall | EE |
| Wall Side | 1 |
| Row | 3 |
| Plaque Number | 8 |
May 16, 2025
Tech Sergeant Patrick Joseph Fowler
Graduated from Saint Augustine High School in June 1964.( Saints) After flunking out of college at San Diego State because of an affinity for surfing, and tired of watching young men burn their draft cards, he enlisted and entered the U.S. Army on November 19, 1965.
He was sent to Vietnam from '66 into '67, stationed in the Mekong Delta as a radioman with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, otherwise known as the Old Guard, with his unit, the RedCatchers, where they rode into battle on helicopters. The top targets of the Viet Cong were officers, medics, and radiomen. He received an Honorable Discharge with early release to attend school on September 4th, 1968.
Now dedicated to education, he graduated from the University of California, San Diego, with a bachelor’s degree in physics and then a Master’s in Bioengineering from Muir College (with an EPA of around 3.50). Amazing what maturity can do for you. He worked in the computer chip industry for many years.
He was married and had two sons, Michael and Marcus. After his divorce, he helped raise his sons and met Sheri, to whom he is happily married. He adopted her two daughters, Nicole and Emma, and had switched careers. He was then a physics teacher at Saint Joseph's Catholic High School in New Jersey and enjoyed teaching very much. Marcus, his younger son, graduated from West Point Military Academy.
Now that he can enjoy retirement, he can reflect on being much more than an Army Veteran that served his country honorably. He too is a patriot and a brother, a husband, a father, an uncle, and a cousin to our incredible family. Patrick, you will always be our big brother who forever looked out for us. We love you very much. You will always be our hero.
When Dad pointed out that Dave and Brian followed Patrick's footsteps, being alter boys, newspaper boys, and Jack in the Box employees, and inquired if Sean wanted to become an alter boy, he countered with "let's just say I am starting a new tradition. Now that you are retired, we hope you and Sheri can spend more time out here in San Diego. I wanted to surprise you with this because I think you are too humble to want to be recognized.
Plaque Wall Map
