Patrick L. Archibald "PLA"

Patrick Lee Archibald "PLA", 59, of Summerville, died Tuesday, January 5, 2021 from injuries sustained after he was struck by a car while bicycling on New Year's Day.

A gathering of Patrick's family and friends will be held Saturday, May 7, 2022 in the J. Henry Stuhr Inc., West Ashley Chapel from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm.

Patrick was born July 23, 1961 in Charleston, SC, the third son of Francis X. Archibald and the late Mary Cooper Archibald. Patrick grew up in Hanahan and played in the community's junior football league, rode his bicycle and enjoyed fishing. He attended Divine Redeemer and Fishburne elementary schools and graduated from Hanahan High in 1979.

Shortly after graduating from high school, Patrick joined Home Telecom in Moncks Corner, where he worked for over 38 years. Joining as an entry level employee his talents were quickly recognized and he was selected to lead the company's transition into the computer age. Demonstrating a keen intellect and an impressive level of self-discipline and resourcefulness, Patrick immersed himself in learning about computers while simultaneously integrating this burgeoning technology into Home Telecom's business. His life-long dedication to the company and ability to integrate new, fast-paced computer systems changes and programs into the telecommunications business were critical to Home Telecom's success. He was the company's Information Systems Manager at the time of his untimely death.

PLA's natural ability to teach himself new skills also enabled him to become an accomplished guitarist early in life. Long before internet videos and instructional online guitar courses, his mastery of the instrument was developed in part by listening to recordings of guitar greats like Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. His talents were often on display as a member of the "Severed Ties" rock band that played weekends and holidays at local clubs and festivals.

In the latter portion of his life, Patrick rediscovered his love of cycling and it became his passion. During these years he often substituted a bicycle ride for driving. It was not unusual for him to ride 100 plus miles several days a week, particularly on the weekends. Setting impressive goals for himself, he cycled more than 10,000 miles each year in 2019 and 2020. He combined his love of riding with his love of the South Carolina outdoors and its scenery, which he often captured in beautiful pictures and posted on his blog (pla.bike) along with summaries of his bicycle journeys.

Patrick was a quiet man, gentle in his approach to life, and an environmentalist. He sought a peaceful lifestyle and encouraged the same with the salutation of "peace" when concluding phone calls and sending messages.

He will be forever missed by his son Steven F. Archibald and his wife Rondalyn, and grandson Steven Jr., and soon to be granddaughter; father Francis X. Archibald; brother James E. Archibald (Lisbeth Sandöy); sisters Martha A. Archibald and Wynn A. Godbold (Rett); nephews Matthew E. Godbold and Mason Cooper Godbold; sister-in-law Lisa Archibald. He was preceded in death by his mother in 2010 and brother Frank in 2020.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Palmetto Cycling Coalition, https://pccsc.net