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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Jul '00
Robert Tilghman Strudwick - '46
No.16008 * 11 Jun 1923 - 2 Apr 1999
Died in Baltimore, MD - Interred in St. John's Episcopal Church
Cemetery, Glyndon, MD
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ROBERT TILGHMAN STRUDWICK was born and grew up
in Richmond, Virginia. He graduated from McGuires University
School, a small prep school in Richmond in 1940. He then attended
Virginia Military Institute for three years. His long time friend
and classmates at McGuires and VMI, Tazewell Ellett, III, remembered:
"We met at McGuire's in 1932 and became good friends immediately.
At McGuire's, Bob was a natural leader and good student. As a
senior he was awarded the Jack Gordon Memorial Scholarship and
Medal. This award was based more on character than mere scholarship.
We roomed together at VMI. He was active in student activities
and became a cadet sergeant." Bob joined the Class of 1946
at West Point on 1 July 1943.
Based on his experience at VMI, Bob had little
problems with cadet life and his leadership qualities were soon
recognized. His roommate, Smiley Ashton, remembered: " Bob's
middle name was Tilghman (he was descended from Tench Tilghman,
George Washington's Aide de Camp) and he liked to be called that.
He had a good sense of humor and was a true Southern gentleman.
He was very refined and very cordial, especially to the ladies.
He really enjoyed the company of the ladies and there was always
a really classy if not gorgeous one at West Point on free weekends."
Bob graduated a second lieutenant in the Infantry.
After Infantry training at Fort Benning, GA, Bob
was assigned to Japan. Smiley Ashton recalled: "Bob was
in an Infantry unit on the Northern Island. Despite a bad knee
which kept him out of airborne training at Benning, he convinced
some major up there to let him try out as a paratrooper. He made
it and was assigned to the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment,
11th Airborne Division." Bob returned to Fort Campbell,
KY with the 11th Division. He was in the States for about a year
when he went to the Far East for the Korean War. Bob was a company
commander and then regimental S-3, 35 Infantry, 25th Division.
He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the combat Infantryman's
Badge. Bob returned to the States in 1953 when he decided to
leave the Army and enter civilian life. He remained in the reserves
and later retired from the Maryland National Guard as a lieutenant
colonel.
In 1954, Bob started in sales and in 1964 he opened
Strudwick & Associates, a national group insurance brokerage
he ran as president for 21 years. He was an innovator in using
direct mail for marketing insurance and offering group insurance
plans through associations. He specialized in group insurance
for national guardsmen and reservists. He retired in 1985 and
remained active seeking specialized coverage's to meet the needs
of reservists.
Bob died 2 April 1999 in Baltimore, MD. Survivors
include sons, Robert and Barry and a daughter, Mary Tressa. Bob
was married for 36 years to Tressa Barry who died in 1985. A
second marriage to Magel Hayes ended in divorce in 1998.
As evidenced by his efforts in his church and his
volunteer work at several hospitals, Bob had a great insight
into the needs and problems of others. He provided a sympathetic
ear and counseling to many in need. He was proud to be a West
Pointer and lived the motto, "Duty, Honor, Country",
in his everyday life. They were not just words to Bob, but represented
his outlook on life.
Bob Strudwick was a man who excelled in his chosen
field. He always loved the Army. As his brother Lewis said: 'Bob
was a top-flight soldier, one who was proud of his background,
his training, his duty and obligation to his country. It was
with the utmost reluctance that he resigned from active duty."
This love for the Army was evident by his endeavors in creating
insurance opportunities for reservists and national guardsmen.
Bob was held in high esteem by all who knew him.
His long time friend, Tazewell Ellett remembered: "Bob was
a gentleman to the core, a man of impeccable character, intelligence
and of unquestionable integrity."
Smiley Ashton, friend and roommate: "Bob Strudwick
was a great friend and I regret to this day that I was denied
the opportunity to be there when it was time to say goodbye."
The Class of 1946 is honored to provide these words
that would mean so much to our classmate: "Well Done Bob;
Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his family
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