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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly March 2003
Robert O. Isbell '46
No. 15556 * 9 Apr 1925 - 28 Dec 2001
Died in Clarksville, TN * Cremated, ashes interred in Greenwood Cemetery,
Clarksville, TN. |
Robert Overton Isbell was born in Honolulu, Hawaii while his father,
then 1st Lt. Henry Isbell was stationed at Schofield Barracks. Bob's sister,
Fran, recalled his early days: "Following the usual pattern for an Army
Brat, Bob and his family saw numerous changes of station. As a brother,
Bob was protective, optimistic and fun loving. He saw the bright side of
situations and was always joking. He started high school in Minneapolis
and graduated from Riverside Military Academy in 1942. He worked briefly
in the Pentagon as a photographic assistant, then attended Millard's Prep
School before gaining his appointment to West Point. Bob was always an
outdoor person. He spent a summer visiting his father's CCC Camp on Mt.
Hood, OR where he formed an enduring love for camping, hiking and fishing.
He had a great interest in natural phenomena." Bob joined the class of
1946 on the banks of the Hudson on 1 July 1943.
After Infantry schooling at Fort Benning, GA, Bob was assigned to the
14th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Europe. He returned to the States in 1950
to become a company commander in the 188th Airborne Infantry at Fort Campbell,
KY. During this assignment, Bob met and married Leura Dority on 15 December
1951 in Clarksville, TN. Next the Isbells went to Fort Benning where Bob
attended the Infantry Advanced Course. From there, Bob was assigned to
Korea serving in the G2 Section Hq. Eighth Army. Bob returned to the States
for a tour with a ROTC unit and once more moved to Europe. In 1958, he
was assigned to Hq. VII Army before becoming a company commander, 2 Bn
28th Infantry. In 1961, Bob left the Army to try his hand in civilian life.
After earning his masters in Accounting at AZ State University, Bob
began a new career as a US Postal Inspector. Fellow Postal Inspector, Al
Clethen recalled: "I am pleased to have the opportunity to express the
admiration and profound respect I had for Bob Isbell. I first met Bob in
the early 1970s. The occasion was created when Postal Internal Auditors
merged with Postal Inspectors. Bob was an auditor and I a postal inspector.
Since auditors had no criminal investigative training, I was assigned to
give Bob a portion of this training. I learned of the many great qualities
Bob had. His tenure at West Point remained a part of Bob's life. His most
outstanding traits were his integrity, his sense of fairness and sincerity.
Our friendship lasted throughout our retirements. Bob will truly be missed
by me."
In 1987, Bob had the first of many serious health problems that were
to continue for the rest of his life. He suffered a thoracic aorta aneurysm
that left him paralyzed, blind and with no short-term memory. Fortunately
after heroic efforts on his part, he regained some of his memory, partial
vision and lessened paralysis. He spent 95% of his waking hours in a wheel
chair. In 1993, he suffered a massive heart attack resulting in bypass
surgery and a pacemaker. He was also suffering from renal failure. In December
2001 he was diagnosed with cancer; another battle that was one too many
for him to overcome.
Bob died 28 December 2001 from septic shock. Survivors include his wife,
Leura; daughters, Carolyn and Susan, three grandchildren, sister, Frances
and brother, John.
Bob Isbell was proud to be a West Pointer. He valued his years as a
cadet and the foundation it gave him was to serve him the rest of his life.
He is fondly remembered by his classmates. Ben Landis remembered: "Bob
was soft spoken, laid back. He never appeared to get excited, loose his
cool. He was a true gentleman and a wonderful friend. He loved to fish
and ski and he was proud of being a West Pointer. He did everything to
the best of his ability. The Bob Isbell I knew was a wonderful person and
a dear friend. "
Classmate, Jim Hobson, wrote: "Our Army careers separated us and after
retirement we found Bob and Leura in Petaluma, CA. Friendship between the
four of us picked up as though we had never been apart. Bob loved fishing
on Folsom Lake. He regaled us with his 'postal inspector' stories. We were
devastated along with Leura when Bob had his aneurysm. After he moved back
to Clarksville, TN, we continued our deep, affectionate friendship by telephone
and occasional visits. Our close, sincere friendship will forever be in
our hearts."
His daughter, Carolyn, wrote: "I have always been very proud of my father.
He was interested in everything and no matter where we were, he found something
fascinating to see and do. The constants of his character were honesty,
generosity and conscience. He treated every person the same way and never
exercised an advantage over anyone. He was one of those rare beings who
rose to every occasion and then stepped quietly away. Since my father is
gone, I know the world is less good --by one."
Granddaughter Elena remembered: "My grandfather was a wonderful person.
It is sad that no one realizes how much someone means to them until they
are gone and you can't talk to them anymore. I will always cherish my memories
of him."
His loving wife, Leura, wrote: "Of all the things I could say about
Bob, the most telling is that he bore his illnesses with grace, dignity
and courage and always with the optimistic hope of someday getting better.
I miss him very much!"
The Class of 1946 proudly adds the words from our Alma Mater that would
be so meaningful to our classmate: "Well Done, Bob; Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his wife, Leura
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