Patrick Wiese,
A Hero In Our Midst

Little Brother Brennan Buck doesn’t remember a time when his Big Brother Patrick Wiese was not a part of his life. To hear Patrick tell it, his deep connection to Brennan, built of countless little moments over the last 11 years, was an easy commitment in which he learned as much as Brennan did.

“We’re just a couple of guys,” says Wiese, 42, a mortgage lender in Boise, Idaho, who was matched with Brennan through Big Brothers Big Sisters in 1995. At that time, Patrick was not yet married, nor did he have his two daughters, who are now nine and seven.

Brennan, now 18, used to be a little kid with glasses who was “quiet and shy.” “I was just a little scared,” said Brennan, “I really did not know what to expect out of my Big.”

An only child, Brennan lived then, as now, with his mother and grandmother, both of whom desired for him to be exposed to outdoor activities and sports. It was a “match made in heaven,” according to Patrick, when he signed on to be Brennan’s Big. As a sports and outdoors enthusiast himself, Patrick was looking for a Little who would be interested in sharing his same passion and love.

Patrick and Brennan began going on outings that included camping, golfing and fishing. They took walks along the Greenbelt in Boise and talked about school and friends. As the years went by, their families built a close relationship with each other, as well.

Brennan also shared with Patrick that he does not talk a lot about himself with his mother. Brennan’s mother was very concerned about this, but Patrick was able to reassure her that he had been the same way as teenager.

Patrick has shared with Brennan the importance of being involved in community service. As a member and past president of a Kiwanis Club, Patrick talks matter-of-factly about the satisfaction of being in a group of “do-gooders,” who are looking to be involved in the community and to help out others. He has included Brennan in Kiwanis activities like “Rake Up Boise,” which is where the volunteers work to improve the trails in the foothills and hold clean-up days in Boise. To benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters, Patrick and Brennan organized their friends to participate in the annual BBBS Bowl-a-Thon and Golf Tournament.

As a result of Patrick’s friendship and guidance, Brennan is no longer a quiet and shy young man. Brennan recently graduated high school and will be heading to Bellingham, Washington to establish residency before beginning college in the fall.

Over the years, Brennan’s interests have diverged from Patrick’s. “Well, fishing pretty much ended about three years ago when I became a vegetarian,” said Brennan.

Unlike outdoor sportsman Patrick, Brennan is fascinated with art and loves to cook. “He looks more like an environmentalist-type than I have ever been,” says Patrick.

Despite their differences, the relationship remains strong. “He’s way different from me, but it’s been fun watching him grow up and come into his own,” said Patrick of Brennan.

“He’s funny and he really listens to me,” said Brennan, “ He’s given me excellent advice on life decisions…like college, and he’s been there for me every step of the way.”

The impact Patrick Wiese has made in his Little Brother Brennan’s life may not be readily quantifiable, but his gift of time and presence as Brennan has grown into manhood is priceless.