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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Jul '95
Rodney Alger Blyth No.15699 Class of 1946
Died 5 July 1988 In Lebanon, Pennsylvania, aged 65 years.
Interment: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
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Rodney Alger Blyth was born 4 September 1922 in
San Mateo, California. His brother James wrote: "Our mother's
musical background had a strong impact on us. At five, it became
apparent that Rodney had an unusual interest in the piano. He
was blessed with a rare characteristic--perfect pitch. An excellent
student, he always carried a full curriculum in high school yet
handled concurrently a scholarship at the San Francisco Conservatory
of Music. He also became an Eagle Scout. Rodney graduated from
Burlingame High School and attended the College of San Mateo,
California, for two years before joining the Class of 1946 at
West Point.
West Point roommate retired Colonel David L. Colaw,
recalls: "Rodney, like many classmates, disliked horses
and riding class. One afternoon we were being instructed in jumping.
Most of us were doing fairly well, but three times Rodney's horse
balked. It was not until this third balk that someone discovered
that Rodney was on an artillery horse in the class by mistake,
who was not about to jump.
" Rodney held strong opinions, was determined and persevering
and loyal to his friends-a man of high principles possessing
a deep sense of personal honor."
Rodney liked to entertain his classmates by playing the piano
and he often played the organ for weddings at the Cadet Chapel.
He was the tallest member of the Class of 1946. Jack McWhorter
recalled: "The upperclassmen in my company, B-2, had a Corps-wide
reputation as being the meanest and toughest on plebes. I can
remember as though it were only yesterday, Rodney coming out
of the mess hall and being waylaid by the B-2 upperclassmen in
the middle of north barracks. It looked like Lilliputians surrounding
the giant." At graduation, Rodney joined the Quartermaster
Corps.
Following basic schooling, Rodney was assigned
to the Philippines and then to Fort Campbell, Kentucky with the
11th Airborne Division. He was selected to attend the University
of Pittsburgh for a master's degree in Petroleum Engineering.
He married Carol Leffler in Pittsburgh on 3 November1951, and
they moved to the Washington, DC area where son, Jimmie, was
born. Rodney's next assignment was with Joint Task Force 7, Eniwetok
Atoll, with the atomic test program. A few days after Christmas
in 1953, he received word that Rodney Jr. had arrived on Christmas
Day. Dewey and Rebecca were added to the family before the Blyths
went to Europe. In Naples, Rodney diligently carried out his
duties as a petroleum officer, safeguarding the crews, planes
and ships in the Sixth Fleet. Son Jeffrey was born in Naples
and the following year the Blyths moved to Mannheim, Germany,
where Rodney was assigned to the 15th Quartermaster Battalion.
Matthew was born a few months before the family returned to Washington,
where Rodney was assigned to Headquarters, AMC. He graduated
from C&GSC before the Blyths returned to Europe. After two
years at Stuttgart, Germany, Rodney was assigned to SHAPE, Belgium,
where he was instrumental in the development and operation of
the pipeline system in support of NATO. Working with our NATO
partners on a number of particularly challenging projects made
Rodney's NATO duty perhaps his most enjoyable tour. After departing
Europe, Rodney served a tour in Vietnam as Director of Supply,
USARV. In 1976, he retired as a colonel at Fort Meade, Maryland.
In his retirement at York, Pennsylvania, Rodney
enjoyed gardening, woodworking, playing tennis and squash, the
piano and writing music. He became quite active in encouraging
local young people to attend West Point. Rodney died on 5 July
1988. He was survived by his wife Carol; a daughter, Rebecca
(USMA '80); three sons, Dewey (USMA '77), Jeffrey (USMA '8l)
and Matthew (USMA 84); two grandsons, and a brother, James.
A friend of Rodney's retirement years, Lester Stitt,
remembered: "Rodney was extremely intelligent and talented.
His plans for a building project equaled those of any architect.
Upon completion of the project, there was total perfection. No
father could have been more proud of his children being graduates
from West Point. He was dedicated to West Point and the Army.
He loved his family the same way. Rodney never ceased to amaze
me with his capabilities and his vast store of knowledge."
Jack McWhorter recalled: "Rodney went into
POL and I into R&D, so our paths never crossed professionally
except at Fort Lee, Virginia. I remember Rodney as a thorough
professional, totally dedicated to the Army. He carried the USMA
motto, Duty, Honor, Country into his everyday life. He was a
credit to West Point and the Army."
Rodney's beloved Carol reflected: "Rodney
was proud to represent his country wherever he served. His quiet
faith helped him endure the tragic loss of Jimmie at age 5 and
Rodney Jr.'s losing battle with leukemia at 18. Through the years,
when he would play the piano, Rodney's offerings would always
end with 'Army Blue'. His piano is still now, but those strains
remain."
The Class of l946 is privileged to proclaim: "Well
Done Rodney; Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his wife, Carol
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