Robert Earl Welch

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on November 14, 2004:

Robert Earl Welch Born March 8, 1927 - Died January 21, 1998 Robert Earl "Zilch" Welch was born in West Lebanon, New Hampshire on 8 March 1927 and was appointed to West Point from the Army of the United States. His West Point classmates recall: "Zilch, a true man of the outdoors, having weathered many years in the wilds of New Hampshire and a stint with the Air Force in Alaska, took the rigors of cadet life in his stride. Never one to become ensnared in time consuming extra activities, he held that being a cadet was activity enough for anyone. His caustic wit and true friendliness have won him a host of friends for life." During his cadet days Zilch was with the Ski Club all four years, with the Ski Patrol cow and first class years, on the Rifle Team plebe year, and was a Cadet Sergeant his first class year. Upon graduation Zilch went in the Signal Corps and after attending the Signal Corps Training Center at Fort Gordon, Georgia reported to his first tour of duty. His next assignment was with the Signal Company with the 40th Division in Korea where he served from 1953 to 1954. In 1959 Zilch attended the University of Tennessee. Zilch retired from the United States Army in 1969 as a Major and became associated with Asarco Inc., as a Senior Meteorologist. Then in 1985 became a Consultant Meteorologist. Zilch and his wife Janet made their home in Cora, Wyoming until his death on 21 January 1998.

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