WOODBURY – "Pat" Albert Gallatin Pritchett, III, 62, died Thursday at the Central Vermont Medical Center, following a sudden illness. Pat charmed his family and friends with his marvelous sense of humor that included an irreverent wit. This sometimes drew a gentle admonishment of "Oh, Pat!" from his beloved wife, Elizabeth, known as "Liz." Their children – Zach, Elizabeth and Katy – were planning a July celebration of Pat and Liz's upcoming 40th anniversary. Pat inspired and delighted students, casts and audiences throughout Central Vermont with the many plays and musicals he directed and choreographed, beginning as an art teacher and later as chairman of the Art Department of U-32 High School. In addition, he staged musicals at the Old Meeting House in East Montpelier Center, as well as local productions in Barre, Cabot, Montpelier and Plainfield. An accomplished dancer, he taught jazz and tap dancing in his free time for many years at the Contemporary Dance and Fitness Studio in Montpelier, completing the most recent class only two weeks ago. His birth in Richmond, Virginia, on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1948, inspired his lifelong nickname of Pat. He was the son of the late Albert Gallatin Pritchett, Jr., and Ann Blanton Pritchett. Pat attended public schools in Richmond and was graduated from the University of Virginia. There he met Liz Fryberger, and they were married in her hometown of Duluth, Minnesota, on July 11, 1970. Following his service in the U.S. Coast Guard, Pat and Liz moved to Woodbury, Vermont. He had a 14-year teaching career, during which he received the Outstanding Vermont Teacher Award from the University of Vermont in 1984. His skill and technique as an artist led him to enter a new field with a design-build construction company, based in Woodbury. The company is now known as Vermont Vernacular Designs, with Pat serving as owner and president. He is survived by his wife Liz; their children and spouses, Zach Pritchett and Zoe Engelberg, Elizabeth Pritchett and Matthew Melnyk, and Catherine "Katy" Pritchett; a sister and her husband, Wycliffe "Wyckie" and Dan Seamans; a brother-in-law and his wife, David and Betsy Fryberger; and a sister-in-law Mary Marcina. A brother-in-law, William Fryberger, predeceased him. He leaves two nieces, Elizabeth Lee Seamans and Ann Seamans Manning and her husband Dave Manning; a nephew Mark Fryberger, his wife, Amanda, and their children, John Patrick and Laura. He was always willing to help with community projects, including being a prime mover in the campaign to restore the Woodbury Methodist Church. He was a longtime member of the Old Meeting House. Pat was an avid gardener and landscaper, and loved outdoor activities, especially sailing and cross-country skiing. He is remembered by friends and family for his love of the beauty of nature, particularly the ocean, classical music and opera, the theater and dance. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, May 31, at The Old Meeting House in East Montpelier Center. A reception will follow in the Parish House. Arrangements are being handled by Guare & Sons Funeral Home in Montpelier. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations may be made to the Central Vermont Humane Society, P.O. Box 687, Montpelier, VT 05602 or the Vermont Land Trust, 8 Bailey Ave, Montpelier, VT 05602. Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at www.guareandsons.com.