Posted by Tom Cushing on September 23, 2003:

Robert Hamilton Cushing, Jr. was born in Buffalo, NY, the son of Robert and Janet Cushing. He entered West Point after his graduation from Phillips Academy in Andover, MA, in 1944. ?Cush? (called Rob by his family) waited until almost the end of his plebe year to decide that walking the area more than most of his classmates was indeed inconvenient, and he behaved accordingly from then on. It may have been during this period, however, that he adopted his favorite expressed attribute of leadership (with tongue in cheek) : ?Often wrong, Never unsure.? After graduation, Cush married Ruth Jordan (?Jordy?) at the West Point chapel on 8 June 1948. Upon completion of Armor training, Cush served with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany. One of his subsequent assignments was to West Point in the late 50s as an instructor in the math department. He relished his assignment to attempt to teach the goat sections, with its inherent task of ensuring the success of the ?mathematically challenged.? Cush and Jordy delighted in the social life at Dunover Court, the rehabilitated barracks next to the motor pool, and cherished many enjoyable memories of classmates and friends. Subsequent to Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Cush was sent to Viet Nam in 1959 to work with the Military Assistance Advisory Group. Returning to the Pentagon, Cush was directed to report to the Army Chief of Staff?s office f or consideration for an aide-de-camp position. Much to his surprise and chagrin (at the tine) , Cush was reassigned by the end of the day and served General Lyman Lemnitzer, who was Army Chief of Staff, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR), from 1960 until 1964. Without a doubt, this assignment was the most enriching experience of Cush?s career, one that encompassed significant world events, senior leadership, diplomacy, political dimensions, and social requirements (life was not bad in Paris !) . He became an avid admirer of General Lemnitzer and enjoyed a close working relationship that continued as a lasting friendship at the end of the assignment. In 1964, Cush became commander of the 1st squadron , 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Bayreuth, Germany. This command of a Cavalry unit became yet another highlight in his career , which he enjoyed immensely. both professionally and personally. In 1965, Cush was reassigned to the Pentagon in Army Force Development. After three years of intense force structure work and the approaching 20 year career milestone, Cush made the decision to decline the promotion to colonel and retired. Cush immediately entered the Marriott Hotel training program, which culminated in his assignment as a manager of the Chicago O?Hare Airport Marriott. During this period, Cush?s hair, which had been severely suppressed during the Army years, suddenly grew to civilian length in wave of gray-brown, and he became known to the world as ?Bob?. He then found a new opportunity in New York City , working with classmate John Sternberg as they engaged in headhunting on Madison Avenue. A lifetime dislike of snow and socks finally triumphed and Cush retired again, moving to St. Croix in the American Virgin Islands, where he also minimized daily shaving and added a beard (amazingly reminiscent of Ernest Hemingway) to his now white hair. Cush met and subsequently married Judy Jones on 26 December 1986, and they settled into a tropical existence. During Hurricane Hugo in 1989, their residence collapsed around them, forcing them to escape as soon as possible to Alexandria, VA . But even the Washington area periodically experienced snow, and socks were most often required , so Cush and Judy went south once again in 1990, but only as far as Naples, FL. Many classmates remember the successful ?48 mini-reunion they helped host. Cush and Judy loved France, especially the Riviera, where they spent Septembers on the beach at Juan les Pins . It was no surprise that, when offered an opportunity to purchase an apartment in St. Remy de Provence , not too far from the Riviera, they made the necessary arrangements and moved at the end of April 2002. Cush , in accordance with his new residence, officially became ?Robere?. Cush was an aficionado of fine living. He assimilated well to other cultures and customs, particularly with regard to dining. Wherever the venue Cush enjoyed learning the specialties of the area and the appropriate beverages. He became a credible chief, as well. While always tuned to his surroundings, Cush marched to the beat of his own drummer, intent on squeezing the maximum enjoyment from the gift of life. There is no doubt, particularly in this regard, that he found a rich and exhilarating lifestyle. Only two months after moving to France, Cush went for a routine health exam and was diagnosed with fatal and inoperable cancer of the bone and liver. Judy still resides in St. Remy. Cush?s daughter, Carolyn Bing, and her four children ? Travis, Tara, Solon, and Jae Bob ? reside in Wyoming. His son, Robert H. III, lives in Louisiana, and son, David, lives in Florida. Cush is also survived by his sister, Marianne Kiernan, and a brother, TOm.

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