Theodore Scott Westhusing

West Point, 1983

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Bill Bennett on June 9, 2005:

Ted ? you have been called Home much too early. A bittersweet flood of memories comes back ? two amazing years as a roommate with you and Kerry in Italy, watching you as a loving father raise a wonderful family with your beloved Michelle, serving with you at Fort Bragg and admiring your many accomplishments. You always inspired us to take the higher road, ask the deeper question, and do the harder right. For me, you will always embody all that is right and good about West Point and our Nation. Getting to know Ted in Italy, one could not help but feel inadequate around him. Ted possessed those quiet qualities of leadership that simply drew others to him. While we struggled with the daily tasks of learning to lead others, Ted effortlessly led a rifle platoon, read Kant, perfected his Russian and Italian, and made us all laugh with his wry observations of life in a battalion. Thus began a friendship that was truly one of life?s most rare and precious gifts. In the greatest leadership book ever written, it says in Proverbs 27 that, ?As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another?. So it was with you Ted ? you sharpened us all with your intellect, character, courage, and most of all, your compassion for your fellow man. You have left us now and gone through the Narrow Door where a merciful Father surely welcomes you. Losing you is so very hard, but we feel exceptionally lucky to have shared this time with you. We will never forget you ? knowing you has changed us all forever. Job well done Ted, Be thou at peace. Bill Bennett

admin