I am sure that most of you have heard of the tragic news of Marty Patterson's death on July 3.

An account has been established at the Agricultural Federal Credit Union (AFCU) to help Marty's family over the next few months.  You can send a check made out to the "Martin Patterson Fund" to Larry Deaton, USDA/FAS, SOAGBLG-Stop 1049, 1400 Independence Ave, SW, Wash DC 20250-1049, who will deposit it into the account.

Since I was close to Marty, I thought it appropriate that I use part of Notes to the Field to write a few words about my friend.  Marty came to FAS in January 1990 from Mississippi, by way of the University of Illinois.  He started in Export Credits, what was then known as the Program Development Division (PDD).  He quickly became the go-to-guy in PDD, known for his hard work and ability to solve problems.

My career in FAS paralleled Marty's career.  We both were overseas around the same time, returning to Washington, D.C. in 2001.  We both started in Export Credits and then transferred to the old Oilseeds Division.  In fact, Marty took over for me on the EEP, SOAP and COAP bid desk.  I thought I had a pretty efficient lotus spread sheet for calculating bids.  Marty, of course, made it better.

Marty's eyes would light up when he talked about his wife Constanza and his three daughters-Alicia, Sylvia and Mariana.  He loved his family very much. Our family life also had similarities.  Marty had his first daughter in 1992, the same year I had my first child.  We both had a second child in 1996.  However, I received an e-mail from Marty in 2000 telling me that he was taking the lead in the kid department.  His third child Marianna was born that year.

Marty had a sly sense of humor behind his quiet exterior.  He would make observations on life's little absurdities.  He was fond of telling me at lunch that the nine dollars he was spending on AFSA dues could buy his lunch, twice.   Ironically, one of the last things he did was be the AFSA observer for the lateral entry board.  I'm sure that Marty would have something funny to say about that situation.

Marty never complained, no matter what the circumstances.  He spent his first several months in Singapore without his family.  Constanza had to stay behind in Washington because of her pregnancy.  When his wife finally joined him, FAS told him that they were closing the post and that he had to leave Singapore two years early.  He didn't complain.  Marty went on to a second post, Caracas, and did a wonderful job.

Marty was especially proud of his work in HTP.  He worked on a number of SPS issues and was instrumental in opening up the Colombian apple market for U.S. exporters worth $3 million.

I don't know why God took Marty from us so young, but I do know that FAS was lucky to have him as an employee and I was lucky to have him as a friend, and I will miss him very much.

Michael Conlon