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<p><em>David Loren “Dave” Windom</em> was born in Reynoldsburg, OH and lived on an 11-acre rural property, where he developed his love of the outdoors. He attended Ohio State University for one year before being accepted at West Point. His father, Loren, was in the military (a decorated World War II veteran and eventual head of the Ohio National Guard), which profoundly impacted Dave. The promise of a ’57 Thunderbird upon graduation sealed the deal.</p>
<p>Dave did not speak much about his early career but would always engage in any conversation about hunting, fishing, boats, dogs, and fast cars. His early career consisted of assignments in the Dominican Republic; at Fort Bragg, NC; at Fort Hood, TX; and back and forth to Vietnam, twice. Additionally, he was selected for an ROTC assignment at Kansas University and returned to West Point after his second tour in Vietnam. He found his alma mater busy, expanding from 2,200 cadets to 4,400. Dave reduced the stress associated with the massive construction by walking his domesticated pet raccoon (Ralphie) on a leash around West Point. Ralphie was a novelty on Post, as well as a wonderful conversation starter.</p>
<p>It was inevitable that Dave, with his pet raccoon, and Bobby Knight, the then Army Basketball head coach (and future chair-throwing coach) who took West Point to a higher level, would become good friends. Dave had some great stories about Coach Knight, which got even better over a couple of drinks.</p>
<p>Dave concluded his career as the Pentagon’s chief of organizational effectiveness (OE). The Army was implementing the results of the Professionalism Study Commission by General Creighton W. Abrams, and OE was one of the key tools that helped develop the Cold War Army. Eventually, OE gave way to other tools, and Dave decided to retire. However, his talent was instrumental in transitioning the Army from the draft Army to the volunteer Army.</p>
<p>Dave’s unique abilities are best reflected in the fact that he was chosen as an aide-de-camp for three different Superintendents of West Point: General Donald V. Bennett, General Samuel Koster, and General William Knowlton. These were tough times for West Point, as the Army focused both on learning from the Vietnam experience as well as on making the volunteer Army “all it could be.” Dave had experience at the troop-leading level and proved to be an invaluable asset for all three general officers. The fact that all three selected Dave, a relatively young leader, to be their aide speaks volumes about his talent.</p>
<p>Lieutenant Colonel Dave Windom parlayed his military experience and expertise into a successful management consultant career spanning almost 20 years. He had clients in the U.S., Europe, and Russia, including Merrill Lynch, Reebok, The Equitable, and Del Labs. Dave, an expert in using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator self-report evaluation, used this tool very successfully both in the military and the corporate world.</p>
<p>Dave loved dogs, and he trained golden retrievers for game hunting. He generally had a couple of goldens at the house ready to go. Dave also loved racket sports. An accomplished tennis player in the 1970s, he played racquetball well into his 70s. He owned two fountain boats (high-speed boats). When he felt like his 29-foot boat no longer met his needs, he upgraded to a 42-foot model. Speed was a regular part of his life for so many years, and it seemed to bring out the best in him. There is no doubt he lived in the fast lane.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, despite taking care of himself, the last 10 years of his life were the toughest. He fought through five different cancers, three knee replacements, a hip replacement, six months of dialysis, and intensively severe staph infections. It was the most brutal battle he had ever had to fight, and he put everything he had into it. Through it all, he kept his eye on the future and what he had to do to recover. He seldom complained. Those who saw him in this fight were moved by his courage, his never-give-up attitude, and the example he set for others who were having or might have experienced similar challenges. </p>
<p>Dave was not fond of rehabilitative facilities and worked hard to get better and return home. He was successful many times; but, eventually, it got to the point when he could no longer handle it by himself. The support for him from his family and friends was extremely helpful, and Dave reciprocated with unconditional love for them. Dave was preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl, who passed 11 years earlier. They had two children, Jenny and Greg, as well as three grandchildren: Charlie, Leo, and Emma. With all the great things he accomplished in his life, Dave knew that his family was his greatest accomplishment, and they would never forget him.</p>
<p>Generally, the military measures courage on the battlefield, and that is particularly true at West Point. General MacArthur challenged Dave and his classmates in his Duty-Honor-Country speech: “…Yours is the Profession of Arms, the will to win, the sure knowledge that if you lose, the nation will be destroyed….” President Kennedy similarly told them, “I hope you realize, and I hope all Americans realize, how much we depend upon you.” Dave Windom was not the typical cadet. He turned words into actions and through his fight with illness taught others how “to live above the common level of life.” Dave understood what JFK said and more than met the challenge. May he rest in peace! Well Done!</p>
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