2014 Distinguished Staff
Math Teacher, Coach, Associate Principal
Richard “Dick” Patterson grew up on a farm east of Tecumseh and graduated from Highland Park High School and in education from Washburn in 1962. His first teaching and coaching experience was at Curtis Jr. High (1964-67) followed by his first stint at Topeka High (1967-69) teaching math, biology and physical education as well as head wrestling coach. For a year (1969-70) Dick taught at the newly opened Shawnee Mission Northwest H.S. before returning to THS (1970-75). This time, besides teaching math, he served as head football coach revamping the program (e.g., two teams defeated ancient foe, the Lawrence Lions). After a spell as Vice Principal of Washburn Rural H.S. (1975-83), Patterson again returned to Topeka High as Associate Principal (1983-94) where he assisted the newly established Topeka High Historical Society. Then he had a tour of duty as Assistant Principal and then Principal of Lawrence High (1994-2003) when that community underwent expansion with a second high school. Since that time he has enjoyed several educational responsibilities including work with Highland Park H.S. and being Headmaster of Topeka Collegiate School. Regardless, Dick will always be a Trojan – if for no other reason than his wife Martha was the THS nurse and daughters both THS graduates.