Posted by Paul C. Wermuth on November 16, 2001:

In Memoriam: Anthony L. Wermuth Anthony Wermuth was my brother. "Bud" (known to persons outside the family as Tony) was about ten years older than I, and in childhood that's a lot of time. By the time I was 8 or so, he had already left home to begin his army career, aiming for West Point. Since we both chose wandering professions--he the army, I the university--we didn't see each other often enough over the years. Yet we retained a lively interest and concern with each other's activities. He was a prolific letter writer, offering sturdy advice and inspiration, as he tried to encourage us younger siblings into the paths of righteousness. When I got out of the army after the war, he was the one who pushed hardest for me to go on to college; and he was always the one with whom I could discuss serious subjects. He fulfilled the role of older brother quite well. He was a family trailblazer. He showed that it was possible to break out of the narrow world we grew up in, with glimpses of a larger world to which we might aspire. His ambition was impressive: Once I asked him why he had wanted to go to West Point, and his reply was: "Well, to a poor boy, it seemed like the most impossible thing to do." This attitude, it seems to me, was characteristic of him: he enjoyed challenges, testing himself, expanding his horizons. He loved music, and sang frequently, not only in the shower, but even walking across the living room he might burst into song. He was in the West Point chorus, which he loved. He had a fine deep voice, and I loved listening to him sing "Abdullah Bulbul Ameer." He was also editor of The Pointer in his senior year, and later publishd a book of satirical verse about the Pentagon. Bud seemed to us highly successful, and I believe his life was both examplary and impressive. He achieved a great many things, both in his chosen profession and in his personal life, ranging from his research and publications, to being a battalion commander in Korea, to being assistant to the Chief of Staff of the army. He never stopped developing. His curiosity ranged through some unlikely areas, and those who received his Xmas newsletters will recall his amusing speculations on some obscure fact he had uncovered. He also relished an atrocious pun as much as anyone. He had, I think, an interesting and restless mind. He and I liked and admired each other because we recognized in each other a kindred spirit. I'm disappointed, and angry, that his spirit has bveen stilled, and not only because it leaves a large hole in my life. I'll miss him sorely, as I'm sure will his many friends and family. I hope fervently that we might meet again somewhere, somehow, though I'm not sanguine about the chances. Life likes to tantalize us with occasional glimpses of the best before it whisks it away from us. He once said that our father would live as long as our memories of him lasted. The same is true of Bud himself now. So long as we keep him in our minds, he is not really gone; and I hope he will remain in our memories for a long time to come.

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