Patricia Robbins (Pat) Dingus

July 3, 1926 – November 11, 2013 Patricia Robbins (Pat) Dingus, 87, died on Veterans Day. Memorial services will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church with Rev. Linda Kelly, rector, officiating. Cremation and arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Pat was the epitome of the World War II generation woman: pretty, feminine, strong, and utterly devoted to her husband, children, and home. She made her world a better place. She was born on the Texas coast in a small company town owned by TexasGulf Sulfur that had its own hospital, school, firehouse, and church. Pat knew everyone in town, and everyone knew her and her whereabouts. The town operator once tracked her down at a friend’s house to let her know that a young man was attempting to call her for a date. During the war, Pat served as a spotter with the Aircraft Warning Service. She attended Texas Women’s University in Denton for two years, where she once caddied for golf great Byron Nelson; she knew nothing of golf, but she was good-looking. In 1944 she returned to the coast and went to work as a secretary for Freeport Sulfur. One night at a local canteen for servicemen, she met Major G.W. (Bill) Dingus. He stole a kiss that night and shortly thereafter, on May 17, 1947, they wed. They were rarely apart for the next 65 years. She and Bill moved to Pampa in 1951, where she loved the dry climate but decorated in the many shades of the sea. Her home is adorned with an array of seashells, beach paintings, and maps of Matagorda County. They had four children, whom she raised with equal measures of discipline and humor. Still, she always managed to remain immaculately coiffed and dressed. She never went out without putting on lipstick (and usually pearls). Like many of her peers, she enjoyed and often hosted bridge parties, but she also loved Nature and the outdoors, including its denizens. She encouraged her kids to collect insects, rocks, lizards, and more. The family’s pets included Cowboy the tarantula, Horatio the horny toad, an unnamed black widow, and multiple birds, cats, and dogs. Her keeshond Nathan was arguably her greatest admirer. She taught that dog to gently growl a fair approximation of “I love you.” Pat was a fastidious housekeeper and a good cook, with a special talent for luscious desserts. On birthdays her kids often requested her divine Chocolate Angel Pie instead of a cake. She loved stargazing and regularly slept outdoors during meteor showers. She had ornate (some would say indecipherable) handwriting. She was also a huge John Wayne fan, a dedicated birder with a life list of more than 350 species, and an accomplished pianist who lulled her children to sleep with Chopin and Strauss. She was a staunch and vocal Christian, always voted Republican, and never hesitated to speak her mind. She and Bill sent all four of their children to Rice University, an act that was a source of enduring pride for them both. Both before and after Bill retired from Cabot in 1982, she traveled with him to Japan, Colombia, and England and extensively across America. Pat is survived by her four children: Jane Dingus (and husband, John Hildebrandt), of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; Anne Dingus of Austin; Nancy Dingus Crites of Hannover, Germany; and William F. Dingus (and wife, Mary Anne) of Midland. Her beloved grandkids included Sean Hildebrandt and family (wife, Joy, and daughters, Elizabeth and Julia) of Portland, Oregon; Kate Hildebrandt of Houston; Phil Redman of Austin; Dayton Crites (and wife, Kristen Munson) of Austin; Caroline Crites of Hannover; Margaret Barrett (and husband, Nathaniel) of Dallas; and Lizby, Paul, and Mariah Dingus of Midland. She was preceded in death by her husband on Christmas Eve 2012 and her grandson Parker Redman in 2007. She also deeply loved her nephews and niece, Rick Robbins (and wife, Sissy) of Lufkin; Leslie Kirkland (and husband, Paul) of Richwood; and Carl Robbins (and wife, Elizabeth) of Weston Lakes. Because Pat never forgot to write a thank-you note, she would want to express her deep appreciation for the loving women who took care of her for the last four years of her life. They include Dora Jimenez, who helped “Mr. and Mrs. D.” realize their desire to live out their days in their own home. Dora’s sister, Myra Jimenez, was the night-shift angel. In fact, their extended family all cared patiently and tenderly for Pat as well as Bill--notably “Mom Dora” Jimenez, Marisa Fuentes, and Kasie Ramirez. Thank you all. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Legacy Endowment Fund of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, a source of support for her for 62 years. The address is 727 W. Browning, Pampa, Texas, 79065. We love you, Mother. We’re so glad you and Daddy are back together, and we know you’ll continue to watch over us until we meet again.