Dr. Patrick Alcorn, 68, of Cass Lake, MN died Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at his home on Leech
Lake, with his wife by his side. He loved his family more than anything in the world and nothing
made him happier than having them all together at the lake.
Patrick “Pat” Clifford Alcorn was born July 11, 1950 in Redwood Falls, MN to William “Doc”
and Lois “Bonnie” (Hayes) Alcorn. He graduated from Wabasso High School in 1968. He
completed his undergraduate education at the University of Minnesota, Morris, where he also
met Brenda, whom he married in 1972 in Edina, MN. He worked a variety of jobs while helping
to put Brenda through pharmacy school, before going on to complete his D.D.S at the University
of Minnesota in 1980.
He moved his family to Red Lake Falls, MN where he practiced dentistry and served the
community for 35 years. Upon his “retirement,” he continued to practice a couple of days a week
at Northern Dental Access Center in Bemidji, MN, until the time of his cancer diagnosis in
March 2017. He cared for thousands of patients over the years and was immensely grateful for
the loyal and dedicated staffs that he worked with.
Pat was a member of the Northwest District Dental Society and the American Dental
Association, and was an Associate Professor at the U of M Dental School. He volunteered dental
services at the Union Gospel Mission while living in Minneapolis.
Pat was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, serving as deacon and elder over the
years. He served his Red Lake Falls community as president of the local Lions club, and was
awarded The Melvin Jones Fellowship, which was established as Lions Clubs International
Foundation’s (LCIF) highest form of recognition, to acknowledge an individual’s dedication to
humanitarian service. He was a member of the Sportsmen’s Club and a DNR licensed Firearms
Safety Instructor, volunteering his time teaching kids through 4H, and he took pride in helping to
raise funds for, and build, a community pool in the 1980s.
Pat wouldn’t let his cancer diagnosis get him down. His positive attitude and zest for life was
what defined him and helped him truly enjoy the next 23 months. He spent all the time he could
with his family and his lifelong friends, and checked off his “bucket list” items.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda (Bartell) Alcorn; daughter Jen (Chris) Wheeler; daughter Liz
(Joe) Allen; daughter Joey (Nate) Brouse; grandchildren Ryan Allen, Rohan “Roo” Wheeler,
Maisie Wheeler, Ethan Brouse, and Evelyn Brouse; his faithful companion Lady; brother Bob
Alcorn; sister Judy (Steve) Kerkhoff; sister Susan Hubbard; many nieces and nephews; and
closest friends Wes Largis, Pete Taylor, Scott Polzin, and Jim Amstadt. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Mike Alcorn and sisters-in-law Glenda Alcorn and Donna Linchangco.
A casual service will be held at the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home in Bemidji, MN at 2:00 p.m. on February 16th.
Please visit the website for more details: www.olsonschwartzfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, take a kid fishing, or send donations to the Lions Gift of sight program (www.lionsgiftofsight.org.)
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