Mark Pattridge, Golden Frontier Gala Chair

Mark is the oldest of four kids born to Fred and Orpha Pattridge. He was born and raised in Golden and attended Earle Johnson Elementary School, Golden Junior High School, and Golden High School. Mark went to college at the University of Notre Dame and then went to medical school at Colorado University. After high school, Mark hosted tours at Coors brewery for five summers during college. He was the medical director for the school of mines student health center. 

He completed my family medicine residency in Grand Junction in 1987 and started a family practice in Golden that same year. 

Mark was very fortunate to practice medicine where he had grown up and practiced for 32 years in Golden, retiring in 2019. Since then, he’s done a lot of traveling and played a little bit of golf! Mark was also on the board and was Board President of Golden Pantry and Thrift for several years, and currently serves in an ex-officio position.  In addition, he’s been very active in my home church, St. Joseph’s.

Mark’s family life has been very blessed.  In addition to having a very close-knit family growing up, he’s been fortunate to be married to his wife, Cathy, for 42 years. They have two children, Kyle, and Maggie and a “bonus daughter”, Kendra.

What's one thing about Golden that keeps you invested here?

I would say that the one thing in Golden that keeps me invested here is the people. We are so fortunate to have so many good solid families who have lived here for a few generations or more and understand what is special about Golden.

Please tell us about your connection with Golden Civic Foundation and what inspires you to give to GCF?

My connection to the GCF goes back over 50 years to when my dad helped found the organization. Of course, he was very quiet and never mentioned any of his accomplishments so I didn’t even find out about this until the late 80s when we began attending the Gala regularly.

I’ve always felt that the GCF is a very special organization. The reasons for this are that is always available for businesses, schools, nonprofit organizations, etc.

I believe that the GCF has been the “silent glue” that has helped keep the community together in so many ways over the years. My wife and my sister have both been on the board at various times and I’ve always been impressed at how the organization is truly “for the good of Golden“.

Is there a moment from your years as a doctor, no names needed, that has stayed with you?

I have several terrific stories of my years as a doctor in Golden, but there is one that definitely stands out. I was fortunate to have Dr. Lloyd Goad bring me into the world have him as my physician when I grew up. And then later in his life, he became my patient. So, his name was on my birth certificate and my name is on his death certificate. I think this is a classic “Golden“ story!