Andy Van Patten was raised at the Springsteen Ranch west of Hell’s 1/2 Acre where his grandfather homesteaded in 1917. Andy learned all phases of ranching at a young age. He worked for the Brewer Ranch, Buffalo Creek Ranch, and Bill Clark on the Pine Mountain Ranch as a kid. He attended rural school at Powder River, Springsteen Ranch, Hiland and graduated from NCHS in 1960. In 1962 he married Glenda Kelly and they have two children. They worked for Lloyd Allen, Clear Creek Cattle Company, and LU Sheep Company. In 1972, Andy lost his leg in a ranching accident at the LU. After the accident, he was informed he would not be allowed horseback on the ranch. Unable to fathom the idea of not being horseback and working the job he loved, Andy and his family returned to The Clear Creek Cattle Company where he worked for several years riding and roping. In 1977, Andy and Glenda bought a place south of Waltman and raised their children. He worked as a government trapper all the while continuing to help other ranchers. One of his favorite sayings was “When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on!”
George Andrew Van Patten
