Ralph Cholewinski

Good bye my friend, you are now without pain. Ralph Cholewinski

Stephanie Sundine

I'm so sad to read this news! What a sweet and fun person Pat was. We knew each other through Trinity Lutheran Church, as well as at school, of course. I was so hoping he would win the battle and live much longer. I've met only one of his sons, but he spoke so warmly about his wife and all of his boys, and I know his passing is a terrible blow for all of them. I send my deepest condolences to Susan and their sons, as well as to Kim and Sue, his sisters. Thinking of them all. I'm so sorry. 

Sue Fusselman (Ferrell)

My heartfelt sympathies go to Susan, Pat’s five sons, and to all who loved him—and there were many.  My husband Steve was in Boys’ Choir with Pat, my mother and Pat’s mother were good friends, and I have many fond memories of Pat and his warmth and great and sometimes wacky sense of humor.  What a fine man who lived with difficult health struggles, facing them with noble courage and yet always showing such a love of life.  He will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. 

Sue Fusselman Ferrell

Carl Jensen

Pat was one of my best friends in high school. We even roomed together at U of I for a semester. We did not see each other outside of reunions for many years.  Several years ago we reconnected and we (Bess and I) started dropping in on Pat and Susan once a year when we went skiing out west.  Several years ago Bess had to give up skiing and I started bring my eldest grandson (Dakota) and his friend Joey along, and of course Pat and Susan continued to be great hosts. Having raised five sons their house was set up to entertain boys and Dakota liked it there. Bess and Susan would go to bed and Pat and I, along with a bottle of wine would discuss current events and the old days. I am thankful that I got to see Pat this past January, but I never thought it would be for the last time.  Pat was a hell of a guy.  He never blamed anyone, he wasn’t angry; he did not wallow in self- pity.  He always had a smile on his face and a positive attitude about his disease. When he got this multiple myeloma they gave him two years, fifteen years later he died. If that is not a testament to the power of positive thinking and maintaining ones’ sense of humor nothing is.  I am really going to miss Pat, but I will never forget him. Our condolences go out to Susan and their five sons; and of course to Sue and Kim Forber in Moline.

Mike Shipley

I was sad to hear of Pat's passing.  Pat and I were teammates both on the football and track teams. Pat was somewhat of a legend our sophomore year in football because he had been working out with the varsity team because of his work ethic during summer workouts and the outstanding strength he displayed. I think probably his physical strength paled, as years went on, to his emotional and character strength. I would like to have said I was a close friend, but that was not necessarily the case, although we were certainly friendly with one another and kind of caught up on each others lives amd reconected at the last reunion I was able to attend and then again on facebook where we had some interesting chats. I think Pat's music reflected his caring and his humanity and will survive him for years to come. I know most of the Forber family and my condolences go out to them all on the loss of their brother and to his wife and sons. I will remember him smiling and picking his guitar! Peace and love friends!

Ron VanDaele

So sad to hear about Pat. We went all through school together starting with Hamilton. My Brother Steve said that he just had lunch with him in Denver a few weeks ago. My thoughts to his family.

Ronald Harrison (Harrison)

My sympathies to the Forber family. Pat fought a brave battle. For those that didn't know Pat was an excellent singer and songwriter. In the past year, via Facebook, I was able to listen to many of Pat's works and really enjoyed them.

Nicholas Eastland

My thoughts are with Pat and his family today. Like many who have commented above, I met Pat through music in the Moline Boys Choir, later John Deere Junior High and MHS. We even waited tables together at the Boars Head following college while he was waiting to join the Military. Fun guy, great grin as he shows in his profile picture. I am sorry that I haven't looked him up in the Denver area. Another reason we should make hay while the sun is shining. God bless you Pat.

Don Price

My heart is broken to hear about Pat's passing.  We were very close friends throughout junior high, high school college and beyond.  I stood up with him at his wedding to Susan.   Such fond memories! Like many of us, we lost close touch with one another over the years.  But I've never lost that feeling of closeness that deep friendships during one's life provide.  My condolences go out to  Susan, and the entire Forber family.

Deanna Rohrbach (Rossow)

​Pat and I always had good laughs together! It makes me smile just thinking of him! We dated a few times when we were home on college breaks. And even though I didn't make many of the reunions, we were always able to pick up right where we left off with a warm and friendly and fun visit! It seems as though that is the case for most people who knew him.

So many of us were in the MHS choir together, and enjoyed the concerts and "High School Musicals" with him!

God be with the hearts of those in Pat's family and in the hearts of dear friends.         Deanna Rohrbach Rossow