Posted by Roger Reitmaier on December 14, 2015:

Bob ('Doc') Wagner was the most influential and important mentor for me as a young man. Bob taught physics at St. Mary's College (now university) of Winona, Minnesota back in the 60's. He was also a LTC in the U.S. Army Reserve. He was the faculty hall counselor of the dorm I lived in in junior and senior year. Somehow he found out I was interested in becoming a Marine officer upon graduation. Having changed majors after my sophomore year I found myself short hours for graduation. So I spent the summer after my senior year (1966) finishing up. Bob was also on campus that summer. We did some stuff together, like go for rides in his canoe on the Mississippi River. In the course of our time together he taught me some practical things about ethical living and specifically about being a person of service; true fulfillment in life comes from serving others and serving causes greater than self. And he told stories to flesh out his philosophy of life. The advice he gave me relative to my immediate future in the military was invaluable. I called upon it several times during my training. He also wrote the letter of recommendation in my application to be accepted into Marine Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA. I am forever indebted to this fine, selfless gentleman. When I think of what it is to be the ideal American, Robert T. Wagner is the first person I think of. R.I.P. Doc

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