Dr. Patrick James Clinch

Dr. Patrick James Clinch, 70, passed away peacefully at his home in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, on April 28, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on October 11, 1955, in Sturgis, South Dakota, he was the second son of the late James Henry and Marian (Keffeler) Clinch. After graduating from Stevens High School in 1974 he joined the United States Marines and served from 1974-1978. He then met and married Cynthia (Schwietert) of Rapid City. He and Cynthia moved their family to the Chicago area to pursue his doctorate in Chiropractic, which he gained in 1984 from National College of Chiropractic.

Dr. Patrick served his community as a Chiropractor for over 40 years. His career was marked by a deep commitment to the well-being of others. He was known for his healing hands, his creative techniques, and his desire for teaching other Chiropractors how to best care for their patients.

Patrick’s passion for improving the lives of others was a cornerstone of his life. He spent many years as a soccer coach, referee, referee assessor, and rose to become a Soccer League President and the South Dakota Youth Referee Director. His leadership and mentorship on and off the field as well as following his passion and teaching in Jukite Jujitsu shaped the lives of countless young athletes. As a 6th Degree Black Belt, his love of teaching was exemplified in his commitment for instruction at Rushmore Jujitsu.

A proud veteran of the Vietnam Era, Patrick carried his sense of duty into his civilian life through extensive community involvement. He also spent many years as a strong political advocate and motivator in his beloved state of South Dakota. He was a founding member of Family Voice (Family Heritage Alliance) and has held various leadership positions in the churches that he was involved with. Above all, he was a man of deep faith, holding active memberships at Harvest Church in Kittanning, PA, and Landmark Church in Rapid City, SD.

Listing all the ways Patrick touched lives and cared for people would fill a Library.

Though he and his wife lived in Kittanning, PA for a short 9 months before his passing, Patrick spent most of his life in Rapid City, South Dakota where he left an enduring legacy.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Cynthia Clinch; his children, Christopher (Monica) Clinch of Worthington, PA; Nicholas (Megan) Clinch of Richmond, VA; Stephanie (David) Burton of Kittanning, PA; Taylor (Bonnie) Clinch of Nairobi, Kenya; and Tamie (Charley) Warren of Ridgecrest, CA; brother Mike (Francine) Clinch of Presho, SD; sister Christine (Don) Lampert of Rapid City, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was the proud grandfather of 17 grandchildren and was looking forward to the arrival of his first great-grandchild in September 2026.

Patrick was preceded in death by his parents, James and Marian Clinch, and his sister, Tracy Jo Clinch.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Harvest Church in Kittanning, PA on Thursday, May 7th at 6pm.

There will also be a service held in Rapid City, SD later this summer.

Memorial donations honoring Dr. Patrick Clinch are directed to his son’s work with street connected children and youth in Kenya. Their organization, ACMI, accepts donations at  https://acminternationalnc-bloom.kindful.com/

If you would like more information on their ministry in Kenya, Follow this link to sign up https://forms.gle/eERQ7Cf6TtXaDvuv8

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