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Brian Patrick O'Donoghue

Profile Updated: August 28, 2023
Residing In:
Fairbanks, AK USA
Spouse/Partner:
Kate Ripley
Occupation:
Professor emeritus, Journalism, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Should have a new book coming out in 2023, about the role UAF students and I played in exonorating the Fairbanks Four. Delivered manuscript in December. Awaiting edit notes.
Children/Grandchildren:
Rory born '96, Robin '98 & Rachel '04
Comments:

We live in Goldstream Valley just north of Fairbanks, Alaska.
I taught journalism at University of Alaska Fairbanks 2001-2020. Prior to that I worked at weekly newspapers, several dailies and local TV news, in DC, Baltimore, & throughout Alaska, where I've lived since '84.
My wife Kate was a rival reporter covering the Capitol in Juneau, when I proposed to her on the floor of the Alaska Legislature. We have three kids, Rory, 26, Robin, 24, & Rachel, 18, who's a freshman at University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau.
We had dog teams for many years. I'm no great competitor, but finished every race I started, including the '91 Iditarod and '98 Yukon Quest. Last summer Rachel worked as dog handler at Trailbreaker Kennel, founded by the late Susan Butcher, four time Iditarod champion. The outfit is one of Fairbanks biggest summer tourism attraction. Our daughter's connection brings life full circle; As a reporter, I covered three of Butcher's wins and had an inside view of her shocking upset defeat in a 1991 storm.
Currently writing a book about the "Fairbanks Four," a group of guys from the local Native high school wrongfully convicted of a white teen’s '97 murder. All four served 18 years in prison before my students and I teamed with Alaska Innocence Project and busted them out.

Whitmanites shoot us a note if you are headed this way! BrianPartrickOD@pm.me

Who was your favorite teacher in high school?

Mr. Bricker, Electronics, TV Repair classes, History classes

Name one song that takes you back to high school whenever you hear it.

Dr.John: "Right Place, Wrong Time"

How did you find out about this website (please be specific; we want to know how to best reach people)?

Poking around, looking for old friends.

Brian Patrick's Latest Interactions

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Dec
17
Dec 17, 2023 at 12:34 PM

Pretty cool having grandchildren. Does nut seem likely for us, though we have three great kids.

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Oct
22
Oct 22, 2023 at 11:37 AM

Posted on: Oct 21, 2023 at 2:09 PM

Hi Richard . Were you at the reunion? It’s been so long, our class was so large, I hardly recognized anybody. Back in Fairbanks now after a whirlwind trip that included a DC family gathering reminiscing about our late crazy fun aunt, Whitman 55, visiting our oldest son Rory, 27, in New York, catching up with college friends in Hoboken.. Home now with deadlines on a new book due out in May.
Just took this photo for you. That child swing behind me is supported by my old red climbing rope. I rigged that swing for our daughter, now 19, when she & her older brothers were very young. That rope dates back to Carderock days, over the years I’ve used it for many things, painting roofs, building treehouses, towing cars, one times hauling a burned up snowmachine out of a backcountry rec area to avoid massive federal $ fines. Anyway, may all we graying souls prove as durable and useful as that old ropes over days to come.
Brian O’D

Oct
05
Oct 05, 2023 at 4:33 AM
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Aug
28
Aug 28, 2023 at 2:49 AM
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Aug 28, 2023 at 2:49 AM
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13
Jun 13, 2023 at 7:25 AM

Posted on: Jun 12, 2023 at 1:06 AM

Jun
09
Jun 09, 2023 at 6:39 AM
Jun 09, 2023 at 6:38 AM
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Jun
02
Jun 02, 2023 at 12:54 PM

I remember Paul, very nice guy. We didn't keep in touch after WWHS. Thanks for the details about his long career. 

Brian O'D

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Mar 08, 2023 at 4:13 AM
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Oct
12
Oct 12, 2023 at 12:30 AM

Posted on: Jan 10, 2023 at 3:17 AM

Jan 10, 2023 at 3:13 AM
Dec 29, 2022 at 1:55 PM

Rachel, 18, on right, and her older brother Rory, 24, left. In a winter ritual at the campus where I taught journalism for many years.

Dec 26, 2022 at 5:33 PM
Dec 26, 2022 at 5:15 PM

SOLSTICE GREETINGS-- We have incredible light this time of year in Fairbanks, marvelous colors, occasional Northern Lights, Christmas 2002 has delivered both, along with dangerous wind, a common story everywhere is seems this year. Right now, my wife Kate are mainly thankful to have at two of three kids home for the holidays... and today's reported a daily light gain of 1 min, 30 seconds! Here's some pics, including a visit to a local landmark by my daughter Rachel, 18, and oldest son Rory, 26, for a ritual familiar to many U Alaska students, AND a glimpse of those special Arctic night lights. My daughter and I got this year's Christmas tree tree on a nearby dome. A nasty windy expedition to be sure, but worth the effort. A forester friend, viewed the rings on a section of trunk I cut off leveling it. He estimates this tough spruce is 25-27 years old, apparently struggled the first 5-10 years, then thrived, perhaps because rain conditions improved, along with height ensuring light needed for a growth spurt. May we all find that close to home. Merry Christmas!

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Oct 21, 2022 at 12:52 PM

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