VIPCare Founder and Long-Time Board Member
The Rev. Dr. A. Patrick "Pat" L. Prest Jr., died on the first full day of Spring, March 21, 2019.
He was born to A. P. L. "Tom" and Naomi Prest in Detroit, Michigan, on February 28, 1928 and grew up in Newton, Massachusetts and Darien, Connecticut. Pat attended prep schools in New England, earned a business degree at Lehigh University, a master's degree of divinity at Episcopal Divinity School and was awarded an honorary doctorate of divinity in 1976 from the University of the South.
As an Episcopal priest, Dr. Prest was ordained in Connecticut and served a parish in Meriden, Conn. He did a residency in clinical pastoral education at St. Luke's Hospital in Houston, Texas. After a brief stay at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, he came to the Medical College of Virginia on March 1, 1958, as Director of Religious Activities and Chaplain Supervisor. In 1968, he cofounded and served as the First Director for the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, Inc. an organization that remains active in counseling and education. In the 1970s, he helped create the Board of Professional Counselors and served on that board for 11 years. During that time, he served as a gubernatorial appointee to the Board of Health Regulation and Dr. Prest chaired the board from 1985 until 1987. Pat served as a professor at MCV/VCU for 35 years, retiring in 1993. He served as an adjunct professor at Virginia Union University for 32 years, teaching pastoral counseling.
In retirement, he assisted at various churches and served as Priest-in-Residence at the Church of the Holy Comforter in Richmond, Virginia. Pat leaves behind his beloved wife of 62 years, Joan Moynihan Prest; and five children, daughter, Elizabeth Albee, her husband, Rick and children, Lauren (Grant) and Eric (Rachael), son, Alan Prest and Kristin Stanley, son, Tom Prest, his wife, Jeannette and their sons, Ryan (Callie) and Jake, daughter, Margaret "Maggie" Johnson, her husband, Drew and their children, Lindsey (Evan) and Zach and daughter, Martha "Marti" Prest. Pat, also known as "Pops," loved family get togethers that were filled with joy, openness and humor. His secret joy was classical music, meditating on the Bible, especially the words of Jesus, writing as therapy and composing prayers for any occasion. Pat was grateful for the visits by former students and friends.
A celebration of Pat's life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, March 30, at the Church of the Holy Comforter, 4819 Monument Avenue. A reception will be held after the service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Pat's memory to the MCV Foundation, P.O. Box 980664, Richmond, VA 23298 and designate your gift to the Prest Lecture, an annual educational event. Donations may also be made to the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care.