An Air Force technical sergeant who died after plunging 170 feet during a college football game had been looking forward to taking part in the dramatic stunt, according to his grieving father.
Tech Sgt. Ian Patterson, 37, was a decorated military veteran with more than 15 years of service. He was killed Saturday in an accident during the Navy-University of Texas game at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Video from the event appeared to show Patterson rappelling from the stadium rafters when he lost his hold on the rope and fell to the field below.
Medical personnel treated him on the field for about 10 minutes before he was taken away and transported to a hospital, where he later died, Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs said. The circumstances surrounding the fall remain under investigation.
As relatives mourned the sudden loss, Patterson’s father recalled that his son had been especially enthusiastic about performing the rappelling demonstration after being unable to participate the previous year.
“I was very excited. I believe he wanted to do it last year as well,” John Patterson told WDRB.
“He didn’t do it last year. So this year, he had the opportunity.”
John said his son had dreamed of joining the U.S. military from an early age. Military service was a longstanding family tradition, and Ian spent much of his childhood moving among communities connected to the armed forces.
John Patterson, father of Air Force Tech Sgt. Ian Patterson, said his son was excited to take part in Saturday’s rappelling demonstration at the Navy-University of Texas football game. The 37-year-old died after falling 170 feet during the stunt.
John also remembered his son as a “bourbon snob,” reflecting his passion for collecting the spirit. He said he hoped Ian would be remembered for his kindness, commitment and deep love for his family.
“He loved the Air Force. He joined right out of high school, and that’s what he wanted,” said John, a U.S. Army veteran.
“He knew that the military would give him a solid career and a solid base and give him discipline and integrity.”
Patterson served with the 6th Combat Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. The unit provides advanced skills training for Air Force special warfare personnel. During his career, he was also stationed in South Korea and Germany.
His military record included numerous honors earned over more than 15 years of service, among them the Air and Space Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air and Space Achievement Medal and Army Achievement Medal.
Air Force Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills said Patterson’s death had deeply affected the members of his unit and the wider military community.
“Tech. Sgt. Patterson and his service mattered immensely to our wing, and to the family, friends, and teammates who had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside him,” Mills said.
“Our team is now focused on standing beside Ian’s family, loved ones, and fellow Airmen as we navigate this profound loss together.”
Away from his military duties, Patterson was remembered as a devoted husband to his wife, Nikki, and the father of two boys, ages six and three.
Patterson was also a passionate baseball fan who visited every Major League Baseball stadium in the Northeast. After spending six years stationed in Colorado, he supported the Colorado Rockies. Source: Facebook
Patterson was with the 6th Combat Training Squadron, a unit that conducts advanced skills training for special warfare Airmen, at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, and he had previously been stationed in Korea and Germany. Source: GoFundMe
He had also been an avid baseball fan who visited every Major League Baseball stadium in the northeast – and supported the Colorado Rockies after spending six years stationed in the state.
Patterson had also become a ‘bourbon snob’ because of his enthusiasm for collecting the spirit, his father said.
But most of all, John said, he wanted people to remember his son for his kindness, dedication and love for his family.
‘I just want to let people know that he was a wonderful man,’ he said. ‘I love him.’
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Patterson’s friends shared similar sentiments at a memorial for the fallen Air Force sergeant at a local bar where he would regularly play poker with friends.
‘I want him to be remembered most as, for one, a soldier; for two, a great friend, three a family man – family man most of all,’ Tyler Hsu told KSAT.
He noted that he was still expecting his friend to walk through the doors of the bar – and said knowing he will never return was particularly painful.
‘It hurt,’ another friend, Breanna Valdez, told the outlet about how she felt after learning of Patterson’s untimely passing. ‘I didn’t want to believe it at first.
‘My heart broke really bad. It still hurts,’ she continued. ‘I don’t think you’ll ever get over something like that, especially having a good friend like that.’
Those who knew Patterson remembered him as a devoted husband to his wife, Nikki, and a father to two young boys, ages six and three Source: GoFundMe
In a GoFundMe set up for Patterson’s grieving family, he was described as a ‘beloved husband and father whose life was taken far too soon’ Source: GoFundMe
Clips from the horror episode showed Patterson hitting the turf at tremendous speed as thousands of onlookers watched on at the military football game.
Medics quickly rushed to the fallen Airman’s aid as he lay motionless, his body splayed at the 50-yard line.
‘Everybody was quiet, the band stopped performing. Everybody was dead silent,’ witness Adrian Corey told KSAT.
Adrian’s mother, Siomara, described the unsettling confusion after the accident.
‘There was no updates after that other than asking for prayers, but it did not look good,’ she said.
Despite the pre-game incident, officials proceeded with kickoff after a 10-minute delay. UTSA went on to beat Navy, 38-34, and afterwards many players took part in a group prayer for the injured Airman.
‘I know we said a prayer postgame, but they’ll continue being our thoughts and prayers, and really thinking about them,’ Roadrunners quarterback Owen McCown told reporters.
The American Conference, which includes both Navy and UTSA, decided to proceed with the game before it was understood that Patterson had died, according to a statement from officials.
Details of how Patterson fell to his death in front of thousands remain under investigation.
Patterson was treated on the field for around 10 minutes before being carted off and rushed to the hospital, where he later died
In the meantime, loved ones are raising money for Patterson’s family.
They wrote in an online fundraiser that his sudden death on Saturday was ‘earth-shattering’ to his wife and children.
Nikki had been dedicated to raising and caring for their family while he was their primary financial provider, and his death means she ‘is now facing the challenge of supporting her children while grieving the loss of her partner,’ the online fundraiser notes.
A separate fundraiser for the family was created by the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP).
It was designed to help support the sergeant’s two sons as they grow up, Ramiro Villalobos, who leads TACP Foundation, told News 4 San Antonio.
The organization will now help the boys through major milestones, including turning 16, reaching adulthood and pursuing further education.
At the same time, the organization is coordinating with military officials and family support teams to raise money for the family’s immediate expenses.
‘We’re there because dad can’t be,’ Villalobos said, noting: ‘These two young boys are going to have a bunch of uncles and aunts.’
