[2] He attended the University of Chicago Law School, but left the program in 1988 to further pursue a career in journalism.
Patner contributed over 2,000 pieces of arts criticism covering a broad range of topics including music, dance, books, and film.
Patner worked for Chicago's National Public Radio affiliate WBEZ for eight years as an arts critic, program host, and producer.
He also served as critic-at-large for WFMT Fine Arts Radio, where he hosted a weekly program called "Critical Thinking" from 1998 until his death in 2015.
While working as editor-in-chief for the Chicago Maroon in 1979, Patner began covering LGBT subjects, including the first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.