Posted by Ken Halloway on January 22, 2014:

Dick and I were best friends in high school. We were roommates all four years at West Point including Beast Barracks. We both shared a love for classical music. This was good for both of us since during Cow year I built a 20 watt hi-fi amplifier and I kept the classics coming. Dick was up high in class standings and excelled in Spanish. He was constantly shuffling Spanish deficient Plebes in and out for extra coaching-and he was very good at it. Dick was very intelligent with a razor sharp and penetrating wit overlaying a great sense of humor. He was my best man at my first wedding and I was his at his wedding. He was my oldest son's God father. We both entered active service with the 82nd Abn Div. And something needs saying about that. I rerouted early and was given a task by the deputy commander of the 2nd Abn BG 503 Inf, then Col George Blanchard, it was to review the roster of my classmates scheduled to report in to the 82d and to choose the best for the 503d. At the top of my list was Dick Magadieu. He far surpassed all expectations. There is no way to describe or characterize Dick on this little sheet of paper. He was my true comrade in arms and now I have lost him. Dick, wherever you are I hope you will forgive me for this inadequate eulogy. You deserve much, much better. Fair thee well good and faithful friend. Ken

admin