Zachary Howard Patard passed away at the age of 39 years on October 12, 2026, at Inova Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia, surrounded by family. He died unexpectedly and apparently painlessly

Born in Washington, D.C., on March 26, 1987, Zach accompanied his parents to U.S. diplomatic posts in El Salvador, Korea, Cameroon and Burma for most of the first ten years of his life. After mid-1997, he dwelt chiefly in Fairfax County, Virginia, with semesters in Williamsburg and months-long excursions to Brazil, Spain, and Germany.

Zach's family welcomes you to join them and share memories of Zach as they sit shiva at their home on Sunday, October 18 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM and again at 7:30 PM.

Zach graduated in 2005 from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, and in 2015 from the College of William and Mary, where he studied economics, neuroscience and history. In December 2025, Zachary completed an associate's degree in nursing at Northern Virginia Community College. He passed the nursing exam and was credentialed as a registered nurse in early 2026.

Blessed with a rarely brilliant mind, Zach had keen and broad interests, ranging from the latest scientific discoveries to ancient history, from math to religion, from languages and literature to martial arts and sports. He loved not only people but also nature and animals.

Raised with some exposure to Judaism as well as some understanding of Christianity, Zach was recently baptized into the Baptist faith, gaining comfort and faith from his belief and the congregation with whom he was engaged.

Zach leaves behind his mother, Laura Marlene Gould; his father, Richard Patard, and his brother Matthew Patard, as well as many people whose lives he touched in so many long-lasting ways. We know that all who had the good fortune to know him will hold memories of time with Zach dear in their hearts.

A memorial service for Zachary will be held at Braddock Baptist Church, 6519 Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA 22312, at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 31, 2026.

Later this year Zach’s family will host a celebration of Zach’s life. Details for the event will be posted here and on the Facebook pages of Zach’s mother (Laura Gould) and brother (Matthew Patard).

In lieu of flowers, Zach's family would be honored to have donations made in Zach's name to Wounded Warrior Project, The Nature Conservancy or a charity of the donor's choice.