PORTSMOUTH--Patrick Warren Comstock, 38, died in a tragic hiking accident January 30, 2022 on the Tahquitz Peak Trail in the California San Jacinto Mountains. Patrick was born on February 18, 1983 and grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia. He graduated from Churchland High School, the College of William & Mary (BA, Summa Cum Laude, PBK), Pace University (MA), Harvard Divinity School (MTS), and Columbia University Teacher's College (PhD). He was a resident of Rockaway Beach, New York.

Patrick was a well-beloved educator, from his first teaching job with elementary students with Teach for America to his most recent as an Assistant Professor at Relay Graduate School of Education in New York, where he taught general pedagogy and English Language Arts (ELA) content to hundreds of students working towards certification and Masters' Degrees. Patrick was a cross country athlete in high school and college; he was also an accomplished singer, surfer, and hiker. He traveled widely, having spent time in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean. His teammates, colleagues, and students describe him as kind and compassionate with a calming presence. He was passionate in his study of meditation in the Zen Buddhist tradition, Christian theology and practice, in addition to his highly adventurous spirit and curiosity.

Patrick is survived by his parents, Dr. James R. (Ray) Comstock, Jr. and the Rev. Ellen W. Comstock, his brother Timothy L. Comstock, his partner Fay Schneider, and a host of friends.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 20, 2022 at 2:30 pm at Monumental United Methodist Church, monumentalumc.org, downtown Portsmouth. Face masks are required. Patrick's memorial service may also be viewed here.

Memorial gifts may be made to the W&M Athletic Educational Foundation (Cross Country), W&M Departments of Religious Studies or Music, or your local not-for-profit supporting public education. Or plant a tree in Patrick's memory. Condolences may be shared at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.