Jon Conrad Vanden Bosch

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by West Point 1955 on April 3, 2016:

Colonel Jon Conrad Vanden Bosch (USA Ret) Colonel Jon Conrad Vanden Bosch (USA Ret), died peacefully at his home in San Antonio, Texas, on January 12, 2016, after a long illness. Jon was born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 12, 1933, to Marguerite and Johan Vanden Bosch. He is survived by his wife Ofelia Saenz Vanden Bosch, daughter Anne V. Dowling, son in law Brendan Dowling, granddaughter Elizabeth Dowling, brother Robert Vanden Bosch and sister Marguerite Freidheim. He was predeceased by his son Jon lll. In 1951, Jon graduated with first honors from St. Ignatius College Preparatory and then entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. Jon's academic achievements continued with a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering from Princeton, followed with post graduate work at Penn State University, Harvard University and the Wharton School of Business. Graduating near the top of his 1955 West Point class, he went on to lead an exemplary military career. He attended Airborne and Ranger Schools, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Army War College, and the Foreign Service Institute. Jon had command postings in Europe, Korea and Vietnam. In Vietnam, when the cease fire was negotiated, he was adviser to the Province Chief in his negotiations with the North Vietnamese team. During Jon's 24 years in the U.S. Army, he served in managerial, advisory and instructor positions. Jon's last military position was as District Engineer in the Galveston District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. During Jon's military service, some of his awards were: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal, and Army Commendation Medal. From the Republic of Vietnam, Jon was awarded the Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star. Upon his retirement from the military in 1979, Jon worked several years for private consulting firms in Houston, Texas. He was recruited by the City of Houston in 1984 as Director of Public Works where he managed all phases of the administration and operation of the city's largest department at that time. After five years at the City, Jon returned to the private sector and eventually joined the Construction Industry Institute at the University of Texas. In 2002, he was persuaded to return to the City of Houston Public Works Department for an additional two years. Plans are pending for a memorial service to be held in Houston within the next few months. Inurnment with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. The family has requested that donations be made to either: Army Resident Community Kiwanis Club, 7400 Crestway, San Antonio, Texas 78239, or West Point Class of 1955 Fund, 698 Mills Road, West Point, New York 10996, or to a charity of their choice.

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