Loving, thoughtful,
quiet, smart, funny.
Robert, or “Pate” as he was affectionately called by family and friends, grew up in Baltimore City’s east side with his mother, Wyetta Duvall and younger siblings, Roderick, Rodney and Kevin Cook and sister Karen Pinder. His father was Robert Pate Sr.
He was a sweet, young boy that focused on school and sports. He was very skilled at solving math problems and became the family’s “go-to” person whenever math was involved. He wanted to be a statistician when he grew up. He also enjoyed reading books and doing word searches.
Robert enjoyed playing in pick-up basketball games and he was an avid basketball fan. The Golden State Warriors was his favorite team.
He graduated from Eastern High School in 1984. Shortly after graduation, Robert completed a trainee program with Union Trust Bank and was hired at GBMC as a nutrition service representative. He stayed in that job for about 5 years until his struggles became overwhelming.
That was the beginning of major health issues and his addiction his mother, Wyetta, said. He refused to seek the help that was much needed.
He was a “people person” and had a lot of friends. Robert was very close to his family and would visit relatives often. He could be quiet and serious, but at times, a jokester.
In the 1990s, Robert was in and out of jobs and struggled with his addiction. He spent time at a rehab facility more than once, but would relapse when he left. He married in 2005 and had a son, Shawn. He and his wife, Della, separated after two years. Robert moved in with his mother and continued to struggle with his addiction.
“He was the sweetest person when he was sober,” said his mother, Wyetta. Since Robert passed away, she has attended a couple of grief sessions with families who have also lost loved ones to various illnesses.
Robert’s mother, Wyetta, provided information for this profile.
Aug. 14, 1966 – June 18, 2018
Age 51
Lived with addiction 30 years
