WP-ORG Main Image
View a eulogy for Dennis Dean Loftheim, USMA '66, who passed away on September 9, 1967.

Dennis Dean Loftheim

West Point, 1966

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Ed Wright on March 13, 2009:

Denny was in a far part of The Corps from me; I knew him but 30 days on our cadet summer training with the 3rd Recon Squadron, 14th Armored Cavalry at Bad Hersfeld in the Fulda Gap of West Germany, facing the Soviets so many years ago in 1964. Yet his image remains so constant: soldier-like, clear-sighted, utterly calm, confident beyond irritation or indifference, intelligent, capable, already the man you'd want backing you up or better, leading you. Such men make an immediate and indelible impression; their loss leaves an unfilled gap even from this far away in time and space. Who better than Shakespeare to send him a song:

"Dirge"

Fear no more the heat o'the sun
Nor the furious winter's rages;
Thou thy worldly task hast done,
Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages;
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.

Fear no more the frown o'the great,
Thou art past the tyrant's stroke;
Care no more to clothe and eat,
To thee the reed is as the oak:
The sceptre, learning, physic, must
All follow this and come to dust.

Fear no more the lightning flash,
Nor the all-dreaded thunderstone;
Fear not slander, censure rash;
Thou hast finished joy and moan:
All lovers young, all lovers must
Consign to thee and come to dust.

No exorciser harm thee!
Nor no witchcraft charm thee!
Ghost unlaid forebear thee!
Nothing ill come near thee!
Quiet consummation have
and renowned be thy grave.

 
admin

West-Point.Org (WP-ORG), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, provides an online communications infrastructure that enable graduates, parents, and friends of the military academy to maintain and strengthen the associations that bind us together. We will provide this community any requested support, consistent with this purpose, as quickly and efficiently as possible. WP-ORG is funded by the generosity of member contributions. Our communication services are provided in cooperation with the AOG (independent of USMA) and are operated by volunteers serving the Long Gray Line. For questions or comments, please email us at feedback@west-point.org.