Posted by Albert Z. Conner on May 23, 2005:

Robert L. Drudik was my company tactical officer at the Virginia Military Institute. He came to VMI in 1962, the year we (Class of 1966) entered. Like another West Pointer on the VMI faculty, Thomas J. Jackson, then Captain Drudik was a bit of an enigma to us. But he represented the best of the USMA to cadets who were not,as a rule, bound for Army careers. He was tough in every way -- in the class room and on the PT field, drill field, rifle range, ranger training, and in inspections and parades -- but he had a great sense of humor and a kindness he could not suppress even when he tried. Yes, I'll always remember "Uncle Bob" for those penalty tours and confinement for the rusty butt-plate (I couldn't find any rust but I figured he had some special sense that meant he could); however, I'll also also carry the image of him at the corps pep rally urging VMI to "Beat Navy" (we didn't -- Roger Staubach -- but you know about that don't you?) and look on his face when he uncovered a stuffed alligator in my roommate's miscellaneous box. Well, I'm sure he's in a better world and swapping yarns about those VMI cadets with Stonewall. So here's to you Captain Bob and by the way, the VMI Class of 1966 racked up 11 PhD?s, 15 Medical Degrees, 26 Law Degrees, and 86 Master?s Degrees as well as 3 Defense Distinguished Service Medals or service Distinguished Service Medals (2 recipients); 15 Silver Star Medals (13 recipients); 28 Distinguished Flying Crosses (16 recipients); 30 Legions of Merit (21 recipients); 102 Bronze Star Medals (73 recipients); 33 Purple Heart Medals (25 recipients); 114 Meritorious Service Medals (50 recipients); 172 Air Medals (35 recipients); and 155 Joint or Service Commendation Medals (84 recipients). Tell Stonewall the "Institute was heard from" on your watch as well.

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