Before his retirement in 2016, Dr. Ron Patterson served as Senior Minister of Naples United Church of Christ in Naples, Florida, where he is Pastor Emeritus. He served congregations in Ohio, Long Island and New York City before moving to Naples.

A native of Akron, Ohio, Dr. Patterson did his undergraduate work at Heidelberg College and the University of Heidelberg, Germany. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School, a Doctor of Ministry from Eden Theological Seminary, and a Master of Business Administration from Dowling College. In 2015, Heidelberg University honored his work on behalf of the UCC with an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

He currently serves on the Board of the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Church of Christ and is a former Board member of the National United Church of Christ, where he continues to serve as a consultant in Development. He is a former Board member of Planned Parenthood of Southwest Florida and various educational and human services organizations. His special interests include music and the arts, weaving, reading, writing and travel. He and his spouse Charnley are members of Fox Island UCC. They live in Tacoma. Between them, they have two sons, two daughters and five grandchildren.