Dale Patterson Obituary

Dale L. Patterson, 73, known on Padre Island, Texas, as Pete of Snoopy's Pier Restaurant, left this life peacefully on Jan. 12.

Born in South Haven, Mich., he arrived on Padre Island in his sailboat in about 1980 and knew he had found his true home.

One of Snoopy's original employees, he stayed for 40 years. He was often at the counter with a big smile taking orders and knew many of the regular customers by name.

His journey to Padre Island was an eventful one. He and two friends, seeking adventure, sailed from Los Angeles down the coast of Mexico to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.

After learning they could not take the boat through the Panama Canal, they, with the help of locals, loaded it on a flat car and took it by rail across the Isthmus to the Gulf.

From there, they ventured up the coast and landed on a pier near what is now Snoopy's. Pete never left and became a beloved personality on the Island.

He is survived by his sister Patti Patterson and her husband Jay Watkins of Denver, nephew Jon Watkins, niece Sarah Peterson, a grand-niece and nephew, an aunt, Elaine Patterson, and many cousins and friends.