Lynn M. Patterson was born Lynn Marion Mitchell on November 27, 1940, in Richmond, CA. She was initially employed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) from February 1967 to February 1969, as an Administrative Assistant for J. C. Calhoun and G. P. Frate. She then left JPL to work for Garey Brothers Insurance. She returned to JPL in October 1969, working in the Procurement Division (620). Patterson also was the head of the Typing Center for Procurement, before it was dissolved due to billet cuts in Procurement. Patterson worked from 1973-76 in the Mariner Jupiter/Saturn 1977 (MJS '77; later Voyager) Office (260). In 1975, she was promoted to secretary for Harris M. ("Bud") Schurmeier, Project Manager of MJS '77.
In 1976, when Schurmeier was promoted from Project Manager to Assistant Laboratory Director (ALD) for Civil Systems, Patterson moved along with him, working in the Office of Civil Systems (700) from 1976-81. In 1981, Schurmeier was named Associate Director for Utilitarian Programs, and Patterson followed. She also worked for Fred Felberg, Associate Director for Institutional Programs. After Schurmeier's retirement in November 1985, Patterson resumed her duties with Felberg. She continued at JPL after Felberg's retirement, assisting his successors Clarence R. ("Johnny") Gates, Duane Dipprey, and Kirk Dawson.
Patterson continued working as Senior Administrative Aide to the Associate Director to April 1996, working at JPL for 28 years. She received a NASA Exceptional Service Medal in June 1996.
From the description of Lynn M. Patterson Collection, 1981-1990. (Jet Propulsion Laboratory Library and Archives). WorldCat record id: 733100914
