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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Sep '96
Robert Hazen Philips
No. 16123 Class of 1946
Died 1 June 1995 at Seminole, Florida, aged 72 years. Interment:
Bay Pines National Cemetery, Seminole, Florida.
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Bob was born 30 August 1922 in Sterling, Illinois.
An excellent athlete, Bob was also a leader in his local church
Boy Scout troop and became an Eagle Scout. Following graduation
from Sterling High School in 1940, Bob attended Marietta College
in Marietta, Ohio for three years before gaining his appointment
to West Point. He joined the Class of 1946 on 1 July 1943.
Roommate, Bob Shackleton, recalled their days at
West Point: "Bob Philips was undoubtedly one of the best
liked and most respected men in D-2 company. He was a little
older than the typical plebe but he had something more; a temperament
that made his classmates trust him. This is a rare quality and
Bob had it, the knack of inspiring confidence, trust and goodwill.
It is impossible to think of Bob being anything but unflappable
and even tempered. Bob knew what he wanted, a career in the Regular
Army, and he never doubted, nor did those who knew him, that
he would be a first class officer. Bob had one other love, his
one and only, Madge Zender, a lovely young woman he met before
going to West Point. He wrote her every day during the three
years. Even at West Point Madge played a vital role in his life."
D-2 classmate Bill Wray wrote of Bob: "I remember Bob most
during our cadet days for his big, warm smile, an engaging personality
and cheerful, friendly manner. He was the consummate team player
in all activities, be they athletic or other. The pursuit of
knowledge and skill in military matters and soldiering was clearly
his overriding reason for becoming a cadet and he applied himself
both diligently and successfully toward that end. My memories
of Bob and cadet life would not be complete without mention of
his continuing, loving relationship with Madge, whom he would
marry soon after graduation."
Bob and Madelyn (Madge) Zender were married 20
June 1946 (during graduation leave) at Cresco, Iowa. His commission
in the Infantry landed Bob and Madge at Fort Benning, Georgia
for basic Infantry schooling. Bob's first duty assignment was
to Korea from which he returned to Fort Benning on Staff and
Faculty, The Infantry School. He returned to Korea in 1952 during
the war, serving as an Infantry company commander and battalion
S-2 in the 180th Infantry. He earned two Bronze Star Medals for
his service. Following Korea and the Infantry Advanced Course,
Bob and Madge went to Wisconsin where Bob had ROTC duty at the
University. Their next stop was at Fort Lewis, Washington and
then on to the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth,
Kansas. A tour with the Army Security Agency was followed by
a Pentagon assignment in DCSPER. In 1967, Bob commanded a battalion
in the 7th Division and then went to Combat Developments Command.
His final tour before retirement as a Colonel in 1975 was with
TRADOC where he received the second Oak Leaf Cluster for his
Legion of Merit Medal..
The Philips lived in Seminole, Florida in their
retirement years with a summer home in the North Carolina mountains.
Bob worked as a personnel officer in a local bank. He was active
in his local golf association, was an avid bridge enthusiast
and enjoyed hiking. Bob died after a stroke on 1 June 1995. He
is survived by his wife, Madge; a son, Gregory; a daughter, Julie
and a grand daughter, Jennifer.
A friend and neighbor in Bob's retirement years,
Andrew (Mac) Secrest, wrote about Bob: "I was a summertime
neighbor and friend of Bob Philips from 1978. I remember Bob
as a hard worker, whether whipping his mountain cabin back into
shape after a hard winter, and doing all the manual labor by
himself; or as a volunteer worker in our Community Association.
I guess it was his sense of fun and his perennial youthfulness
that I most remember about him. He was a clever raconteur, always
ready with a funny story or new joke (always in good taste).
He was a kind man, a loving husband and father and a fine companion.
One can get the measure of a man from his relationship with his
family, and Bob's was a close family. To use a cliché,
Bob was a good role model for his son and daughter and a devoted
companion to his wife. Bob was also a deep and often divergent
thinker. I am sure Madge and the children miss him very much
but take comfort from the example he set and from a life well
lived."
Bob's dear Madge recalled: "It is a challenge
to sum up Bob's life as he had so many good qualities. He was
a loving, kind husband and father, always congenial to everyone.
Now, I can only remember what a lucky person I am to have known,
loved and married Bob. Everyone who knew him said Bob was one
of the nicest guys they ever met."
Bob Shackleton had one final comment: "When
I think of Bob, I recognize a man who found happiness in life
by being true to the Army, true to his life companion, Madge,
and true to his ideals."
To these sentiments about a very fine man, the Class of 1946
is proud to add: "Well Done, Bob; Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his wife, Madge
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