Pat Wells

Pat Wells, 73, died on March 14 at his home following a valiant battle with PSP (progressive supraneuclear palsy) a serious degenerative neurological disease which is an atypical Parkinsonism. Pat, born October 23, 1941 in Moscow, Idaho, lived in Moscow his entire life. He was a proud husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who was also a 33-year veteran of the Moscow Volunteer Fire Department Company #7. Pat's parents were Jim Wells and Alverta Dalberg Wells/Hall. A 1959 graduate of Moscow High School, Pat married Sheila Baker in 1961 and they raised three children, Greg, Joanie and Jeanne. Pat and Sheila have 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, with two more soon to be born. They traveled often to visit family. There was a lot of fishing going on during the years the children were raised, and camping in the family camper. Pat was a federal employee of the U.S. Forest for more than 35 years and worked extensively on the project dealing with western white pine resistance to blister rust. He was the inventor and held the first U.S. Forest Service plant patent on a Douglas fir, called the "Emerald Twister" and sold it at nurseries in the Northwest. Several trees are now 20 feet tall and still thriving in backyards in Idaho, Colorado, Washington and other states. After retirement he continued part time on his plant research. Also in retirement, he was his grandchildren's number one fan, always providing endless support and love. His sense of humor was admired by friends and family alike, and his kindness knew no bounds. Pat was preceded in death by his mother, Alverta, his stepfather, Earl Hall, and a granddaughter, Ashli Salisbury. He is survived by his wife, Sheila Baker Wells of Moscow, his son Greg (Merri) of Couer d'Alene, his daughter, Joanie Wells Salisbury and Jeanne (Britt) Lindhorst of Moscow, his brother Mike (Molly) of Boise, and his sisters, Jana (Max Condiotti) Mendez and Lana (Rich) Lathrop of Longmont, Colorado, his father, James E. Wells of Wenatchee, WA, and half-sisters Mary Rancourt, Anne Wells , Jane Stetner, Nancy Wells and Karen Schulz, all of Washington. The family will hold a private memorial service in the summer months. Those who wish may make donations in memory of Pat to the Moscow Volunteer Fire Department, 229 Pintail Lane, Moscow, Idaho 83843.