Older than most of us, in thought as in age, this former Army officer added West Point to the list of his many accomplishments. Filled with the dauntless spirit of Notre Dame, Bob is destined to taste success in the undertaking of any assignment, no matter how difficult... as an officer under whom men are privileged and proud to serve." - 49 Howitzer.

ROBERT JAMES HOWARD, was born in Helena, Arkansas, to William and Catherine Howard. Soon after he was born, his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where Bob graduated from Cathedral Latin High School in 1942 as the Declamation Winner. He went on to attend the University of Notre Dame, becoming a lifelong fan of the Fighting Irish. In 1943, he joined the U.S. Army Infantry and attained the rank of second lieutenant. After receiving an appointment to West Point from Senator (later, Supreme Court Justice) Harold Burton, Bob resigned his commission in the Army and joined the Class of '49.

While Bob was the second detail commander at Camp Buckner in the summer of 1948, GEN John J. Pershing died. The Third Class at Camp Buckner was organized into a provisional battalion, and Bob was designated commander. Wearing white uniforms and carrying arms, Bob led the battalion through rain and confusion. In his report to the Commandant of Cadets, the Tactical Officer in charge, J.L. Throckmorton, reported that "CDT Howard deserves high praise for his faultless execution of the details of the ceremony and his efficient leadership." Bob was appointed 2d Regimental Commander for his First Class year at West Point.

Upon graduation, Bob joined the Air Force and was assigned to a number of special courses. Following tours at Headquarters, Sandia Base, NM, and Headquarters, Rushmore Air Force Station in Rapid City, SD, Bob was assigned to Torrejan AFB in Madrid, Spain, in May 1954. There, he was Adjutant to Base Commander COL Donovan. That was during the dictatorship of Franco, and the U.S. military was not permitted to wear uniforms and had to conform to the strict rules of the Spanish culture. That assignment whetted Bob's appetite for Europe and for travel in general. Travel continued to be a large part of his life.

After Madrid, Bob went to Vandenberg AFB, CA. He then attended the Harvard Business School and received his MBA in 1962. While at Harvard, Henry Kissinger was one of Bob's professors. He spent a summer in a management-training program with GTE and stayed in Massachusetts at Hanscom Field after graduation.

The year of 1965 saw Bob move to the Pentagon as the Assistant Secretary to the USAF Scientific Advisory Board. He was responsible for the administrative management of a standing secretariat, and was required to travel extensively.

In September 1967, Bob was assigned to Brussels as Executive Officer to the Defense Advisor to the U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Dr. Timothy Stanley. Bob was considered an outstanding officer. A friend who worked with him says, "One wouldn't describe his work as merely important, he was indispensable." Later, Bob was made the NATO Air Defense Ground Environment Project Officer, presenting and defending U.S. planning and programming objectives for NADGE at multi-national group meetings. While in Brussels, Bob discovered the beauty of art and acquired many oil paintings. He was even on a first-name basis with a few Belgian painters!

Following his NATO assignment, Bob joined the faculty at the Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL, and assisted in the development and administration of a two-year program of senior level professional studies for more than 3,000 government personnel. He traveled extensively to meet with 90 seminars participating in the program. COL Archie Patterson, for whom Bob worked, said, "He was a great writer and a good man. I thought highly of him."

In 1974, after 30 years of service, Bob retired in Montgomery, AL. He spent several years with the Alabama Department of Revenue but decided that employment interfered with his hobbies - traveling, writing poetry, and reading. He did all of it well and extensively. He enjoyed Vancouver, BC, and visited there several times. In 1987, after suffering two strokes, Bob moved to Marietta, GA, an Atlanta suburb. In June 1989, he married me, his long-time friend. Together, we traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Europe. He would often say, "Let's go ..." It was then up to me to plan and execute the trip. I became a great travel agent to a great idea man!

Unfortunately, Bob's health continued to deteriorate with the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. He was a man who had a difficult time accepting his failing health. He enjoyed reading so much, that he became exceedingly frustrated when he could no longer continue. In December 1997, he died in his sleep. If ever the West Point words "be thou at peace" were fitting, it was on that day. His wife Mary Kay, two sisters, three brothers, and nieces and nephews survive Bob.

From a sergeant major with whom Bob worked at NATO: "When you hear the phrase 'an officer and a gentleman' I believe it was named in his honor, as he was truly respected by all of his fellow officers - both military and foreign service - and loved dearly by us enlisted personnel assigned at the mission."

How true the words written in the '49 Howitzer were so many years ago. An epithet truly befitting a gentle man.

Mary Kay, wife and friend

Personal Eulogy