Patrick Joseph Werick

Patrick Joseph Werick

September 22, 2001 - October 16, 2020

(Age 19)

Patrick Joseph Werick, age 19, passed away Friday, October 16, 2020. He was born in Taos, New Mexico, to Patrick and Sharon Werick.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Cheryl Shinaberry of Rio Rancho, NM and his maternal grandmother, Jeanne Gladfelter of Santa Fe, NM.

Patrick is survived by his parents, Patrick and Sharon Werick of Rio Rancho, NM; beloved little brother Seth of Rio Rancho; his loyal German Shepherd, Mojo; grandparents Patrick and Betty Werick of Scottsdale, AZ; grandparents Gomer and Terry Reyes of Albuquerque, NM; uncle and aunt, Alan and Cynthia of Colorado Springs, CO; aunt, Heather Gladfelter of Athens, GA; uncle and aunt, Sean and Hope Werick of Dallas, TX; aunt, Jennifer Mullins of Las Cruces, NM; cousins, Tristan and Cierra of Colorado Springs, CO; his beloved “brother from another mother” Jonathan Stevens of Rio Rancho, NM; adored “second parents” Ben and Bobbie Stevens of Rio Rancho, NM; and many cherished friends he made along his journey.

Patrick was a 2020 graduate of The Ask Academy in Rio Rancho, NM. He was inspired and challenged by many exceptional teachers from Rio Rancho Public Schools and The Ask Academy. His love of learning began with his beloved preschool teacher, Ms. Melissa David and first grade teacher, Mrs. Kathy Shallenberger of RRPS. Patrick was incredibly gifted in math and would tell his mom how the universe could be explained by mathematics. In high school, he enjoyed creating many architectural projects in CAD design and excelled beyond Mr. Sean Hurley’s expectations. He developed a passionate interest in Physics thanks to the incredible teaching by Mr.Bahador Mousavi. Patrick was innately curious about the world and figuring out how things worked...even if it meant taking it apart and putting it back together.

His interests included perfecting his skateboarding skills, camping in Jemez in younger years with his very first and longest friend, Harrison and in later years camping, fishing and offroading with Jo and his brother Nate, hiking the La Luz trail, playing online video games with friends near and far, listening daily to his eclectic playlist he “semi covertly” acquired from friend Wyatt’s Spotify account, creating and building amazing things like his gaming desktop all from scratch.

Due to Covid19 restrictions, a private memorial service will be held for close friends and family.

To honor Patrick’s memory and love of learning, the family requests monetary donations be made to The Ask Academy Education Foundation to benefit the education and nurturing of its scholars. Donations can be made online at https://www.theaskacademy.org/ or mailed to The Ask Academy, 4550 Sundt Rd NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124.

“What can I do to give rather than take? Spread positivity, listen and understand.” 

- Patrick J. Werick