LTC John Malpass USA (Retired)Cullum: 25968 Class: 1965 Cadet Company: M1 Date of Birth: August 27, 1943 Date of Death: April 22, 2023 Died in: Pinehurst, NC Interred: West Point Cemetery, West Point, NY - View or Post a Eulogy |
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John Richard Malpass Jr. was born in Arizona and grew up in Yonkers, NY, not far from West Point. He was the son of MaryAnn and John R. Malpass. His father, a survivor of World War II, was a salesman, and his mother a secretary. He had a brother, Allen, and a sister, Rosemary. He attended Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, NY, where he excelled in academics and athletics, especially on the track team. He was active in the Boy Scouts and just one merit badge shy of earning the Eagle Scout rank. John’s excellence in running caught the attention of coaches at West Point, and he was actively recruited to become a cadet. He joined the Class of 1965 in July 1961.
John continued his athletic career at the Academy and was on the Cross Country and Track teams all four years at West Point. In his senior year, he was captain of the Cross Country Team. The Army team’s biggest rival was, of course, Navy, and John was proud of defeating the Midshipmen seven of the eight times they competed during his four years. Athletics took a lot of energy, so John treasured his rest. He slept often and hated any light when he was trying to sleep, so much so that his classmates dubbed him “The Mole,” a nickname that stuck with him throughout his cadet days
John was also a fan of and expert in contemporary music of the day, and he and his California roommate tried to stump each other with the names of solo and group artists performing favorite hits of the day.
Following graduation, John was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Infantry branch. After Airborne and Ranger schools, John’s first assignment was with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. He was married before going to Korea to the love of his life, Diane “Dede” Colbert of White Plains, NY. John and Dede met during his last year of West Point, in December 1964, while on his Christmas leave. John and his date for the night crashed a party in Scarsdale, NY, where Dede was in attendance. John was impressed by Dede and actually placed signs in her neighborhood declaring his love. He won, and John and Dede married in November 1965 and honeymooned in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. After Korea, they made their first home together in the Canal Zone in Panama, where John was an instructor for the Jungle Warfare School. John and Dede have two children: son John Malpass III of New Bern, NC and daughter Jennifer Malpass, also of New Bern.
John was next sent to the Republic of Vietnam, where he excelled as a combat leader. His awards there were many, including the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Following Vietnam, John was tapped to be an instructor in the Office of Physical Education at West Point, preceded by graduate study at the University of Indiana for a master’s degree. John and Dede enjoyed their three years at West Point, making many lifelong friends while they both developed skills in counseling and working with young people.
John continued his Army career with assignments in Michigan, Kansas and California as well as an overseas posting to Nigeria. Along the way, he earned a second master’s degree from Central Michigan and an MBA from Pepperdine University before retiring in 1986 as a lieutenant colonel after 21 years of faithful service.
Following the Army, John had a distinguished career in the private sector, first with McDonnell Douglas as a senior engineer and later as a senior analyst and senior project manager with IBM. Continuing his pursuit of higher education, he earned a Master of Science in engineering management from West Coast University and then his Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Southern California. He finished his working career as an adjunct professor at Capella University, working right up to the end teaching online classes and mentoring Ph.D. candidates.
Leaving California, and after a short stint in Atlanta, John and Dede settled in Pinehurst, NC, where the pace of life matched their lifestyle and John got to develop and polish his golf game.
Throughout his life, John kept up his athletic skills. In addition to his golf, he ran a marathon in his 40s, played racquetball and practiced yoga and tai chi. And there was another side to John: he was a very gifted artist. He could draw anything beautifully. His specialty niche was working with stained glass. He made stained glass windows, lamps, terrariums and more.
Family and friends described John as tough, brave, tenacious, and confident. He could be goal oriented, single minded, and dogmatic. And yet he was humble, kind, friendly, cheerful, and humorous. And he had a big soft spot for grandbabies and dogs, especially dachshunds.
John is survived by Dede, his wife of 57 years; his son, John, and daughter, Jennifer; two grandchildren, Ryan and Ella; his sister, Rosemary of San Capistrano, CA; and four nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents and his brother, Allen.
John had a great life and touched many, many other lives. He leaves a loving family, a grateful nation, and countless friends. He was well loved and will be missed every day.
— Family and Classmates
