THOMAS "BOB" PATRICK

Las Vegas lost a colorful legend when Bob Patrick passed away, October 15. Bob founded the first Las Vegas television production company. He produced commercials that helped to get numerous political heavyweights elected. Bob shot film for a series of commercials for President Ronald Reagan entitled, “The Land.” As the strip was gaining the reputation as the entertainment capital of the world, Bob did commercials for nearly every hotel in Las Vegas. He photographed Las Vegas legends and Hollywood celebrities including Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Jerry Lewis, John Wayne, Barbara Streisand, Judy Garland, Muhammad Ali, and an endless list of stars, athletes, dancers and personalities. His recent work included an impressive series of artistic posters designed using the exceptional photos he shot over his career. Bob won more than 20 Addy Awards, including five Best of Show. He won the premier Best of Show Addy in 1978, for the Frank Rosenthal Show, which he directed for the first season. Bob opened the first show with Frank Sinatra and Don Rickles. Prior to shooting the film Casino, film director Martin Scorsese contacted Bob to get background information. He was born in Los Angeles in 1934. His mother was a popular band leader, whose orchestra performed around Los Angeles during World War II. He got his showbiz start with her band at eight. In 1944, he became a child actor and worked for both MGM and United Artists. He received a degree in physics from San Diego State. He studied photography with Ansel Adams and worked as his assistant. He also studied under renowned commercial photographer Richard Avadon. He served in the U.S. Army and while stationed in El Paso, Texas, he put together his first rock and roll band, The Satellites. After his service with the U.S. Army, he started another band. In 1962, Doc Bailey signed the band to a five-year contact to perform on The Strip at the Hacienda and the New Frontier hotels. Just after arriving in Las Vegas, Bob opened a small photo studio in his backyard. He specialized in theatrical photography. In short order, he expanded to include commercial photography and later television commercials. He did work for local magazines, and stringing for national and international publications. In 1966, Bob added showgirls and dancers to his band. He led the first ever Las Vegas show to tour Europe. In 1977, Bob formed, The Production Company with a good friend. For more than 30 years, he worked on the TV campaigns of four governors, three attorney generals, three Nevada Supreme Court justices, three U.S. senators, five U.S. congressman, two sheriffs, three mayors, three district attorneys, two assessors, 10 judges, four regents, 11 county commissioner and city council members, and 14 state legislators. His worked earned him a spot in the Nevada Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. Bob was a car enthusiast known for his Vegas Vette and Vegas Viper. Both were one-of-a-kind cars that won countless awards and turned heads everywhere. Bob was beloved by many. He was a generous mentor, who persistently motivated all those around him to be the best they could be. He had exceptional creative talent, an eye for beauty and a sense of humor that disarmed all those who came in contact with him. He could keep a whole room rapt with his stories and he had boundless energy. Bob had a brilliant smile and he got a twinkle in his eye when he made people laugh. Bob’s spirit and his legacy will forever keep us smiling when we think of him. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 4, at The Production Company, 4031 Raymert Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89121, with reception to follow.