Francis Edmund O'Brien

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Don Hilbert on July 2, 2008:

Frank (OBO) O`Brien was a very unique individual. By the time he arrived at West Point, he had already attended St Peters College for one year and spent 3 years at RPI so academics were not too difficult for him. OBO was also a very good athlete and played Baseball for four years. Anyone trying to play three on three Basketball with him would appreciate his jumping prowess, he could out jump people three to four inches taller than he was. I will never forget Branch Selection night, OBO was certain he would be able to select Engineer branch but unfortunately it went out one man before OBO, when they called his name he did not know what to say and finally after many seconds, in a faint voice he said Signal Corps sir and thus a new phase in OBO`S life began. Frank married a wonderful Irish girl named Joan who could drink as many beers as he could and that is no small task. They produced many wonderful children and OBO enjoyed teaching at West Point and later at a Community College in Maryland. OBO died as he lived doing things he enjoyed, he died on the golf course having out driven his competitors, he laid down next to his ball and was gone. I enjoyed OBO as a roommate but even more so as a close friend.

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