<p>FOR ROBERT BROOKS Richardson, the route to West Point was shorter than for most of the Class of 1952. He joined us from Saybrook, Connecticut, where he graduated from high school as class valedictorian and an outstanding athlete in his class of 1948. Well-prepared academically and physically for the rigors of cadet life, Bob also possessed a distinct ability to cope with the voluminous rules of the Tactical Department by adhering as appropriate while finding means to circumvent as necessary. Academically, he established a comfortable middle ground, reflecting an attitude that the knowledge gained by applying the probability theory to a session of stud poker was more beneficial than burying himself in a math text. Bob played and coached Corps squad soccer for four years. A routine drag with Jacqueline Sommarco of nearby Maywood, New Jersey--arranged through roommate Bob Dunn--became a lasting romance. Bob and Jackie were married shortly after graduation in June 1952andheadedforGreeneville Air Force Base, Mississippi, where Bob was enrolled in pilot training.</p><p>After earning pilot wings in multi-engine aircraft, Bob spent the mid-50s in the normal career routine for junior Air Force pilots: qualifying training in various aircraft and frequent base changes. Along the way, the family grew. Bob and Jackie were blessed with three daughters, Donna, Patricia and Leslie; and one son, Robert M. Bob's career eventually became centered on troop carrier and aircraft supply support for tactical operations. He advanced to wing staff positions at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, (1961-63) and subsequent aircrew training responsibilities at Tactical Air Command Headquarters, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia (1964-65). He contributed extensively to the formulation of procedures for troop carrier movement and frequently was cited for performance in joint service operations, receiving two Oak Leaf Clusters to the previously awarded Air Force Commendation Medal while serving in the Air Force ROTC detachment at Cornell University (1958-61). Bob pursued extensive academic advancement. At Cornell University, he undertook graduate studies, receiving a master's in education and becoming certified as a New York state math teacher.</p><p>During this assignment, Bob also completed Squadron Officer School and became jet qualified as a pilot. He attended the Air Command and Staff College and was designated a distinguished graduate in 1964. Bob returned to Cornell in 1965 to pursue further graduate studies in psychology and then take an assignment at the Air Force Academy to better prepare cadets for aircrew training. Bob was awarded a Ph.D upon completion of his work at Cornell in June 1967. However, with the Vietnam conflict at a high pitch, Bob returned to the cockpit, assigned to the 6250th Support Squadron at Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base, Republic of Vietnam, in September 1967. As pilot and flight commander, Bob was busily engaged in providing air courier support to MACY and Seventh Air Force and relaying critical strike photo material between far flung operational strike units and the strike planning center at Tan Son Nhut. For his superior flying performance, Bob was awarded the Air Medal in August 1968. In a most unfortunate and unexplained aircraft crash, Bob died while serving as an additional C-47 crew member on 21 October 1968 in Darlac Province, RVN. He was promoted posthumously to lieutenant colonel and awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster to both the Air Medal and the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service. He was able, he was ready, he left us all too soon.</p>