To the editor:

We were so saddened to learn of the recent passing of Robert Patton. A truly great singer who freely shared his wonderful talents with our community. How privileged we were to hear him perform with the Karl King Band on a yearly basis and the Fort Dodge Choral Society from time to time. He was a wonderful singer and terrific person as well.

After his professional singing career with the Singing Sergeants in Washington, D.C., he returned to his hometown, Gowrie. How good was he? We remember him singing a duet with internationally acclaimed opera star, Simon Estes, in a summer band concert in Gowrie. If you closed your eyes, you could not tell which part he or Simon was singing.

Besides his great singing talents, he was a remarkably fine person that we were honored to have for a friend.

A celebration of his life will be celebrated at a later date.

The heavenly choir will be even better now. May he rest in peace.

Larry and Donni Mitchell

Fort Dodge