Richard Lee Hargrove

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Frederick G. (Terry) Dempsey, Jr. on March 14, 2012:

I am distressed to just now learn of Colonel Hargrove's death. I had the pleasure of working for him for two years in his terminal assignment. He was the Headquarters Commandant of Fort McPherson, GA and I was the USAG Company Commander. Among other things, we had Headquarters FORSCOM and 3d Army on the post with a complement of about ten general officers. Dick Hargrove was the perfect man for that sometimes thankless job feeding all those egos. He taught me that sometimes "If Mohamed won't come to the mountain, then the mountain will go to Mohamed." During my seven years of active duty as a Regular Army ROTC officer, I came across a good number of Academy graduates. Dick Hargrove exemplified to me what a true West Pointer was really all about. He was firm, smart, efficient and effective and at the same time humble, human, and humorous. This translated into a good leader and commander. Later, I called him a friend. He needed to rip me a new one once and I came out the other end a little wiser but with a smile on my face and my spirit intact. We got to know his wife Joyce -- a wonderful lady and Army wife. I now wonder if he died of a broken heart after her death. Colonel Hargrove (yes, I know he was a lieutenant colonel) was the single best boss I had in the Army -- or elsewhere for that matter. I can hear his strong voice and his infectious laughter right at this moment. Duty Honor, Country -- yes, that was Dick Hargrove. RIP.

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