Posted by MAJ Holly Olson on March 1, 2001:

I lack the verbal skills that COL Hoy spent so many hours trying to develop in whatever English course we were required to take, but as I read the eulogies for Rob, I feel compelled to make a few comments. First and foremost, I am stunned at the outpouring of support from friends and classmates as well as Cadets and officers who served with Rob. For me, you all paint a picture of the man who existed after he left the driveway in the morning. It is no surprise to me that the picture you paint is a mirror image of the man I knew. Do not think that Rob left his leadership skills at the door when he came home each day-on the contrary, he led our family with the same tender loving care that he led soldiers, cadets and junior officers. I would not be the doctor I am today had it not been for his support on the other end of the telephone during med school when I called him at Ft. Sill in a panic. Rob always saw the positive in me, and his faith in me eventually rubbed off. Rob was and will always be my best friend forever--words cannot begin to describe how wonderful it was to call him my husband for the past twelve and a half years. What I can say, like many have already said, I am so blessed to have been lucky enough to know him. He was a gift from God that I did not deserve, but will cherish forever. I am thankful that so many have taken the time to share their thoughts and feelings at this time. I could go on forever about how great Rob was, but I will end with a principle that Rob and I both learned from my leadership professor and mentor, Mike Hughes: when you teach a Cadet to do things the right way and they go out to become a Platoon leader and teach 40-50 soldiers to do it the right way, and those 40-50 soldiers become NCOs and teach hundreds of soldiers to do it the right way; eventually you have a legacy which spreads across the entire Army of doing things the right way. Judging from the eulogies I have seen, Rob was able to achieve that ideal-thank you for sharing your stories; they give me peace knowing that not only did my husband die doing something he loved, but he died doing something he did extremely well. God Bless this country we all serve in peace and in war, and remember-Rob O is watching us all from above. Holly

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