This open doors to collegiate wrestling, starting with a scholarship to Colorado State University. Though he initially pursued pre-veterinary medicine and lettered as a freshman, Pat quickly realized his true calling was working with people rather than animals. To preserve his athletic eligibility while transitioning his focus to Pre-Physical Therapy, he accepted a scholarship at Northeastern Junior College, wrestling for two years and earning his Associate in Arts Degree.
In 1975, Pat returned home to Lincoln after accepting a wrestling scholarship at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). A multi-talented athlete, he not only lettered twice in wrestling for the Husker program but also excelled in Golden Gloves boxing, earning the title of “Outstanding Boxer” for the southeast district. During the summer of his college years, he began giving back to those who served by working at the Lincoln Veterans’ Hospital.
Pat graduated from UNL in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. Demonstrating the resilience that defined his athletic career, Pat faced an initial rejection from the UNL physical therapy program by applying to over twenty schools nationwide. His determination paid off with acceptances to top-tier institutions, including Northwestern and Stanford. He chose to attend the Mayo Clinic School of Physical Therapy, graduating with his Physical Therapy Certificate in 1980. He later advanced his education by earning a Master of Science Degree in Adult Fitness and Cardiac Rehabilitation from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 1984.
Pat’s professional career spanning nearly four decades. He began as a Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist at Bryan Hospital in Lincoln (1981–1986) before growing tired of Nebraska winters. He headed south, serving as the Director of the Total Life Center at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia (1986–1991), followed by a nearly decade-long tenure as the Physical Therapy Director for Lee Memorial Health Systems in Fort Myers, Florida (1991–2000).
His expertise led him to academia and leadership roles across Florida, serving as an Instructor and Director of Physical Therapy at the University of South Florida in Tampa Bay (2000–2003) and as the Director of Rehabilitation Services at Cedars Medical Center in Miami (2003–2006).
Tired of the corporate hospital landscape, Pat chose to return to his Nebraska roots. He spent the final decade of his full-time career as a Physical Therapist at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney (2007–2017) before concluding his professional journey back where it all began, working at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln (2017–2018).
Pat will be remembered as a fierce competitor, a gifted healer, and a man who dedicated his life to helping others regain their strength and vitality.
Family members include mother Marlyn Arthur; siblings Michael Arthur, Theresa (James) Baustert, Paul Arthur, and James Arthur; nieces and nephews; Ashley (Clint) Kaspar, Brandon (Tiffany) Baustert, John Arthur, Rachel Arthur, PJ Serpa, Tara Stingley; Great nieces and nephews; Siaira, Isaiah, Brandon, Jr., Madex, Ian, Skyler, Valentina and Hayden;
Pat is preceded in death by his father Francis Arthur, brother John Arthur, sister-in-law Reena Arthur.
Funeral service: 1:00 pm Friday, October 9, 2026, Roper and Sons South Chapel 3950 Hohensee Drive.
Visitation one hour prior to service time.
