Patrick Joseph Long

Patrick Joseph Long, 79, most recently of Little Elm, Texas, passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 27, 2026.

Patrick was born on November 7, 1946, in Newark, New Jersey, to Irving “Bud” Francis and Mae Leona Höeler Long. He grew up in Irvington, New Jersey, with his parents and two younger sisters, Rosemary Long Wootton and Nancy Long.

Patrick lived a life marked by curiosity, accomplishment, adventure, aviation, and a deep appreciation for the people and opportunities that came his way. In reflecting on his life, he wrote, “I have had a very pleasant and happy life with wonderful parents, a good education, several jobs and careers that I enjoyed, and especially a lovely family.”

His education and career reflected his lifelong passion for aviation, engineering, and learning. After graduating from Xavier High School in New York City in 1964, Patrick earned a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 1968. In 1974, he graduated from the United States Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and earned his MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.

Major Patrick Long served in the United States Air Force on Active Duty from 1968-1978 and retired from the USAF Active Reserves in 1988. His passion for aviation led to a successful Federal civilian career with the U.S. Navy in 1979. In August 1981, seeking “warmer lifestyles” for his family, they relocated to Fort Worth, Texas, where he worked at the Federal Aviation Administration Southwest Regional Office. He retired from the FAA in 2001 as the Rotorcraft Airworthiness Directive Coordinator. After his FAA retirement, he moved to San Diego, California and enjoyed the “sunny and 70° lifestyle” and joined his close friend, Tricia Turner (1947-2022) and enjoyed driving his sports cars year-round. He received what he referred to as, “a lucky call from a friend” to collaborate with the Global Hawk Unmanned Aircraft for Northrop Grumman. His retirement from Northrop Grumman in 2006 created time for new adventures with Stu Segall Studios, where he participated in various SoCal television productions as a background actor, and he enjoyed multiple events with the area car clubs. He frequently visited with the SoCal area military bases and supported multiple programs for Active Service Members. He returned to North Texas in early 2010 to spend more time with his family and friends.

Aviation was much more than a career for Patrick. It was a passion. He held commercial pilot licenses for single- and multi-engine airplanes, an airframe mechanic license, and three repairman certificates for amateur-built experimental aircraft. He built four airplanes (Waco UPF-7,1976; Hatz CB-1,1990; Hatz Classic, 2014; Spacewalker II, 2020) to fulfill his passion for aviation and flying. As a longtime member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, he cherished the monthly meetings he often hosted in his hangar at the McKinney National Airport and the great friendships formed with fellow aviation enthusiasts. He loved the challenge of designing, building, maintaining, and flying his own planes. Patrick’s battle with melanoma cancer required him to let go of flying, a difficult goodbye to something that had brought him enormous joy. Yet he could look back with gratitude knowing that he had accomplished the dream he had carried since childhood and often stated, “Flying was a boyhood dream that I achieved and enjoyed as much as I could.”

Patrick also had a lifelong passion for sports cars. He admired his classic Ferrari and Porsche and, most recently, enjoyed his 289 Shelby Cobra. He was a member of multiple car clubs including Porsche Club of DFW and San Diego, and the Shelby Cobra Association of Texas. His interests reflected the same qualities that defined so much of his life: an appreciation for engineering, craftsmanship, performance, and the joy of doing something simply because he loved it.

Patrick is survived by his children, Robert Long (wife Sabina), Kimberly Neff (husband Michael), and Jaclyn Osterhaus (husband Tony) and their mother, Ann Heiny Long; his seven grandchildren Kasey Neff, Adrianna McKinzie Long, Kaitlyn Neff, Tyler Osterhaus, Ryan Neff, Jacob Long and Jenna Osterhaus; his sisters Rosemary Wootton, her children, Jeffrey Wootton, Jennifer Hillerman and Nancy Long, her children Brendan Lynch, Meghan Lynch; and by his significant other of the last three years, Beverly Lee.

Above all his accomplishments, however, Patrick was most proud of his family. Patrick expressed his feelings for his children in his own words, “I am most proud of you, Rob, Kim, and Jaclyn. You have grown up wonderfully. I admire all of you and your accomplishments and your families. I enjoy each of you greatly. Thank you for all you did yourselves to mature as you have.” Those words say more about Patrick than any list of accomplishments ever could. His greatest pride was not in the airplanes he built, the careers he pursued, or

the things he achieved. It was in watching his children grow, build beautiful families of their own, and become people he admired who will help keep his legacy alive.

Patrick was grateful for the life he lived, the opportunities he had, and, most importantly, the family he loved. He leaves behind a legacy of curiosity, determination, adventure, kindness, and love—a life filled with the people and things that brought him joy.

Patrick will be deeply missed and forever remembered as a passionate pilot and engineer, a kind and loving father, grandfather “Papa Pat,” brother, uncle, cousin, and dear friend.

A burial service with Military Honors will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 9, 2026, at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, Texas.

Patrick’s family will be hosting a remembrance gathering from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday, November 9, 2026, at Allen Family Funeral Options, Plano, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request a donation be made to EAA Chapter 1246 in Patick’s honor at: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/7LVZK3A9UE9QA, or a donation to the University of Notre Dame at: https://giving.nd.edu, with designation to Additional Funds, Veterans Association (NDVets) or Arnold Air Society-Air Force ROTC Detachment 225 in honor of Alumni Maj. Patrick Long, USAF, Retired; Class of 1968.