Arthur Herman Lindeman

West Point, 1949

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Terry Powers on December 20, 2022:

Arthur H. "Curly" Lindeman Jr. A remarkable American story ended June 12, 2010, with the passing of Arthur H. Lindeman, Jr. A resident of Jupiter, FL, since 1975, Curly Lindeman personified humble achievement and heroism. Born in Cincinnati, Mar. 19, 1927, later accomplishments were presaged at Plainville High School in Mariemont, Ohio, where he became an Eagle Scout, state discus champion, football team captain, prom king, Sons of the American Revolution Good Citizen, and by several accounts a "heckuva nice guy". In 1945, he entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he was a tight end on the national champion football team with the legendary Doc Blanchard and Glen Davis, won the intramural heavyweight boxing championship, and graduated in 1949. He then married the former Mary Lee Kenyon, a pioneering women's athlete and Kentucky thoroughbred. Bliss was short-lived: in four months he was sent to Korea to lead a First Cavalry infantry platoon. While trying to retrieve a fallen soldier, he was hit by mortar shrapnel and returned home with a Bronze Star for Valor, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Purple Heart. He completed Army Ranger and Paratrooper training and became an Honor Guard Commander at Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns with the Old Guard, Third Infantry. Believing that technology was a key future trend, he then transferred from infantry to air defense and worked on a variety of missile deployment issues. While assigned to Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery, AL, he was sent to Vietnam in 1968 where he served in Bien Hoa as Deputy Commanding Officer, II Field Force. Among many military decorations, he was awarded the Joint Services Commendation Medal and the Legion of Merit twice. In 1974, while serving at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, as a Lieutenant Colonel, he abruptly suffered a massive stroke with partial paralysis and the loss of speech. After almost a year in the hospital, he moved to Jupiter at the age of 48 as a disabled retiree. Over the next 30 years, he re-learned speech and other skills, and quietly kept busy, never feeling sorry for himself. He needlepointed and carpentered hundreds of useful items that became prized by friends and family. He never bragged about his past, voted moderate, and made memorable mint julips at locally known Kentucky Derby parties. His beloved wife, Mary Lee, passed away in 2000. He is survived by a son, daughter, and four grandsons. In later years, he fought through heart attacks, lung cancer, three hip replacements, an aneurism, pulmonary embolisms, diabetes, deep vein thrombosis, and foot amputation - without complaints. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Jupiter Medical Center Auxiliary where he volunteered for 10 years. A remembrance of his life will be held on the beach in late June. His ashes will join Mary Lee in the Gulf Stream. Published by The Palm Beach Post from Jun. 15 to Jun. 22, 2010.

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