John Patterson has spoken publicly for the first time since his son, Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson, fell to his death during a military demonstration at a college football game in San Antonio.
The elder Patterson, an Air Force veteran himself, told WDRB that his son had spent more than a year waiting for the chance to rappel from the Alamodome rafters. Ian had missed out on the opportunity the previous year, so when he learned he had been selected for this year’s demonstration, he was overjoyed.
“I was very excited. I believe he wanted to do it last year as well,” John said. “He didn’t do it last year. So this year he had the opportunity.”
The 170-foot fall occurred on Saturday, October 17, during the University of Texas at San Antonio’s annual Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans celebration. Ian Patterson, a father of two, was one of four personnel conducting the fast-rope exercise before a crowd of roughly 23,000 people at the UTSA-Navy football game. Reports said that he descended rapidly to the ground. Emergency responders rushed to the scene but could not save him.
John Patterson described military service as a family tradition. Ian grew up moving between military bases and eventually enlisted right after high school, following the same path his father had taken.
“He loved the Air Force. He joined right out of high school, and that’s what he wanted,” John said.
The father emphasized that Ian understood what the military would provide him beyond a paycheck. “He knew that the military would give him a solid career and a solid base, and give him discipline and integrity,” he said.
Ian Patterson leaves behind his wife, Niki, and two young sons, ages 3 and 6. John Patterson recalled his son’s passion for baseball and their trips together to Major League stadiums across the northeastern United States. Above all, he wanted Ian to be remembered as a devoted family man.
“I just want to let people know that he was a wonderful man,” John said.
Friends gathered Tuesday evening at the Stout House near Culebra to hold a memorial for Ian Patterson. Breanna Valdez, one of those friends, spoke to KSAT about her grief.
“It hurt. I didn’t want to believe it at first,” she said. “My heart broke really bad. It still hurts.”
Tyler Hsu, another friend, said he kept expecting Ian to appear at the gathering. “I could have sworn you would have shown up later tonight anyway,” Hsu said. He added that the reality of his friend’s permanent absence was devastating. “You were so loved. You are going to be so missed,” he said.
Hsu told KSAT he wanted Ian remembered in a specific order of priorities. “I want him to be remembered most as, for one, a soldier; for two, a great friend; three, a family man — family man most of all,” he said.
The Air Force investigation into the circumstances of Ian Patterson’s death remains ongoing. A GoFundMe campaign established to support his family has raised more than $130,000, according to KSAT.
The fatal demonstration was part of a pregame ceremony meant to honor service members and veterans before the UTSA-Navy matchup. The Alamodome, a 64,000-seat facility, has hosted the annual Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans celebration in conjunction with the university’s football program. Fast-rope and rappelling demonstrations from the venue’s upper reaches have been featured elements of past events, though Saturday’s incident marked the first time such an exercise ended in a participant’s death.