LTC Patrick J. “Pat” O’Connor, 71, of Whitewater passed away on Friday, December 6, 2024 at Our House Memory Care in Whitewater.

Pat was born March 17 at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. He moved often during his early school days as the family followed his father to different Army posts before settling in Whitewater when Pat was in high school. He graduated from West Point Military Academy and later completed a graduate degree from UW-Whitewater while on active duty. Pat served in the United States Army until his retirement. He took skills developed over decades of military service into his second career at Wisconsin Emergency Management, rising to become a state-level director before retiring for good.

His great love, after his family, was rugby. Pat coached the UW-Whitewater Warhawks for 30 years, leading the teams to win the first of four national championships in 2011.

Many rugby tournaments and championships involved travel, a favorite activity for Pat and his wife, Karen, who turned the long road trips into opportunities for birdwatching, shopping for quilt fabric and touring bourbon distilleries.

Pat is survived by his wife and two children, Tom and Anna. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother.

Memorial services for Pat will take place at a later date in the spring.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Our House for their exceptional care for Pat in the last months of his life.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.