Patrick Newton Espy, 87, of Huntsville, passed peacefully Saturday, September 9, 2023.

Patrick was born on June 30, 1936, to Goodman Basil, II, and Dacy Pugh Espy in Johnson City, TN.

Patrick attended Jackson High School in his hometown of Jackson, Alabama where he won the prestigious Gorgas Scholarship to the University Alabama (Tuscaloosa). There, he earned his Bachelor of Science in physics (1958) and was inducted into Sigma Pi Sigma physics and astronomy honor society. He then earned his Master of Science (1970) and PhD (1974) at the University of Arkansas.

Patrick's first career was at NASA, where he served as an aerospace research physicist, and was involved with varied scientific explorations and innovative space projects. After retiring in 1994, he devoted considerable energy to his second career as an instrumentation and controls specialist in US nuclear facilities, where he supported safety shutdowns, monitoring, and plant upgrades.

Patrick was a world traveler with a lifelong thirst for knowledge; his family and friends describe him as kind, brilliant, honorable, genteel, and generous; he was a teacher, builder, mountain climber, an enthusiastic worker, woodworker, player with words, and a lover of poetry, especially that of Rudyard Kipling and Robert Service;

He was preceded in death by his parents, GB and Dacy Espy.

Patrick is survived by his beloved life partner, Annie; his children, Beth, Patrick (Rocio), Rachel (Russ), and Stephen (Leigh), grandchildren Corey, Valerie, Mason, and Sophia; and great grandchildren, Lila, Chloe, Cruz, and Iyla. Patrick is also survived by his brothers, Basil, Ike (Carol), and Paul (Subie); along with numerous nieces and nephews he held dear.

Visitation will be at Berryhill Funeral Home in Huntsville, AL, on Saturday, September 16, at 10:00AM, with the service following at 11:00AM.

The family encourages memorial donations to "Hospice Family Care" at the Huntsville Hospital Foundation in lieu of flowers.