Pat grew up in Snohomish, Washington graduating from Snohomish High School
in 1970 and Western Washington University in 1976. After marrying Molly, his
college sweetheart, that same year, the couple moved to the Edgewood area
where Pat began substitute teaching in several area school districts. Learning
about Dieringer he started to include the Dieringer Middle School in his regular
subbing rounds.
That next year, Pat was hired to teach history, English and typing and coach
basketball and track to fifth through eighth grade students at Dieringer under the
leadership of Principal, Ruggles Larson and next door to legendary teachers,
Marie Muir and later Avery Rioux. Eight years later Pat became vice principal of
White River Middle School after receiving his principal’s certification at WWU.
Relishing the opportunity to get back to the school and community he had grown
to love, Pat returned to Dieringer as principal replacing Jim Denton in 1990. Pat
continued in that role as the students and staff closed the old building and moved
“up the hill” to the newly constructed North Tapps Middle School in 1992.
Pat retired in 2011 although he continues enjoying working with NTMS students
while coordinating the Veterans Day Speech Contest and preparing speakers for
eighth grade graduation. Pat is a founding member of the Dieringer Education
Foundation and serves as secretary for that non-profit organization. Pat and
Molly moved to Sumner in 2014 to be closer to Molly’s parents and Pat’s favorite
hangout, Linden Golf and Country Club where he has served on the Board of
Directors as club secretary and membership chairman since 2012. Pat has been
honored to work with so many fine educators, students and parents during his
Dieringer tenure. Dieringer will forever be in his blood and his heart.