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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Mar '00
Harold Paul Fox, Jr. * '46
No. 16047 * 2 Feb 1925 - 24 Apr 1998
Died in Philadelphia, PA * Interred West Point Cemetery, West
Point, NY
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HAROLD PAUL FOX, JR., known to family and friends
as Bud, was born in Philadelphia, PA. Growing up in Philadelphia,
Bud graduated from LaSalle High School in 1942 and then attended
Bullis Prep in Silver Spring, MD. He gained his coveted appointment
to West Point and joined the class of 1946 on the banks of the
Hudson on 1 July 1943.
Cadet life created few problems for Bud. He was
active in many areas of cadet life and became a cheerleader his
last two years. He participated in the 100th Night Show first
class year. Bud opted for air cadet training and graduated with
his wings as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps.
After graduation leave, Bud joined his single engine
Air Force classmates at William AFB, AZ for transition training.
When the time came for assignments, there were not enough fighter
berths for everyone so a drawing was held. Bud drew an assignment
to transports at Pope AFB, SC. When the Berlin crisis erupted,
Bud volunteered and was assigned to the Berlin Airlift. Upon
completion of that assignment, Bud was reassigned to Strategic
Air Command. He completed the Air Tactical School, Tyndall AFB,
FL and the B-47 Program resulting in ratings of Senior Pilot,
Navigator, Bombardier and Radar Operator. While taking navigation
training Bud met Dorothy Robinson, 2nd Lt. USAF, RN. They were
married at Mather AFB, CA on 5 April 1952. Bud was assigned to
the 22nd Bomb Wing at March AFB, CA in 1952 where he served until
he left the Air Force in 1955 to take over the family business.
Bud ran the family businesses, Fox Fertilizer Products
Co. in Collingswood, NJ and Fox Garden Center in Marlton, NJ
until he retired in 1976. Bud then founded Fox Associates, Inc.,
Real Estate Appraisals Services, Cherry Hill and Haddon Heights,
NJ. In addition to his business interests, Bud was active in
many community activities in Haddon Heights, NJ. He was an avid
golfer, and stamp and coin collector. He never gave up his love
of flying and had his own plane that he flew at every opportunity.
Bud loved his nine grandchildren and planted a rose bush in his
garden for each grandchild. He wrote a family letter entitled
Grandpa Tales.
Bud Fox died 24 April 1998. Survivors include his
wife, Dorothy; son, Paul; daughters Elizabeth, Teresa, Cynthia
and Tamara; a sister, Rosemary and nine grandchildren, Bradley,
Kaitlyn, Courteney, Kelsey, Kelley, Christian, Torunn, Ezekiel
and Elijah.
The mark of a man can often be found in the thoughts
and remembrances of his family and friends. That Bud Fox was
universally admired, loved and respected can be seen in these
recollections. His daughter, Terry, recalled: "Dad was always
there to advise. But only if you asked for it. He believed you
could grow and learn from your mistakes. He was a wonderful teacher
and a great resource. He loved life. His teachings will live
through the generations. I am so thankful he was my Dad, but
God took him home too early. We weren't ready for him to leave."
"In this world of debunked heroes, Bud stands
out as a true role model for our children", explained daughter
Elizabeth. "We intend to carry on his philosophies and traditions.
If you are looking for heroes, you don't need to look any further
than the family tree. Our kids will always remember grandpop
and the things he stood for."
Long time friend, Joe Sandone, remembered: "
Bud Fox was the most honest person I ever met. He had the ability
to get things done, always the right way. He was always available
to help his friends. He was totally devoted to his family. If
anyone ever depicted what a West Pointer should be, it was Bud
Fox. I miss him very much."
Friend since grammar school, Tom Hessert, said:
"To have a friend is a valuable asset. Bud was my good friend
for all these years; he was the kind of person you liked to be
with. He was a good family man and performed many activities
in the community. He was a man's man and a West Pointer all the
way."
Golfing buddy, John Robinson, recalled: "At
Bud's wake after his funeral, someone made a remark that expressed
one of the most important lessons about life that I learned from
my friendship with Bud. They said, 'With Bud, it wasn't just
the generosity of his actions; it was also the generosity of
his time. Bud always seemed to use his time unselfishly and make
room for everybody. It amazes me how active and full a life he
led. How did he make room for so much?' I really miss Bud for
a lot of reasons. I only hope as my life goes on that I can be
as generous with my time as Bud was with his."
In 1978, Bud wrote of his philosophy of life. These
words tell a lot about our classmate, Bud Fox: "Whatever
success Mrs. Fox and I have enjoyed is certainly evident in our
children. We have always tried to do what is best for the family
as a whole. The decision to leave the Air Force, which we both
loved, was predicated on what would be best for a large family,
which we both wanted. The correctness of that decision is certainly
justified by our children. We have been blessed by five kids
who never gave us a bit of worry. That to me is the measure of
a truly successful man and wife."
To the words of love and remembrance from family
and friends, the Class of 1946 is proud to add those hallowed
words that would mean so much to our classmate: "Well Done,
Bud; Be Thou At Peace!
'46 Memorial Article Project and his Family
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