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<em>Robert Emmett Joseph, Jr</em>., a soldier, husband, father, scholar, and friend, was born the son of Robert and Dorothea Joseph in Richmond, VA.</p>
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Bob’s father, an FBI agent, entered the Army as a lawyer at the beginning of WWII. Consequently, Bob lived in numerous places and graduated from high school at St. Christopher’s in Richmond.</p>
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In 1949, Bob entered the Virginia Military Institute and competed for and won an appointment to West Point. Due to his strong desire to pursue a career in the Army, he resolutely endured a "Rat" year at VMI and a Plebe year at the Academy. Bob was assigned to Company A-2 and, early in his cadetship, picked up the nickname "Stump" for his competitive tenacity and stocky physique.</p>
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A lover of sports, football in particular, he proved himself to be an outstanding athlete. Handball, racquetball, and squash were included in his repertoire. Bob’s ever-present spirit of competition prepared him for future leadership roles. One lasting memory of his leadership and love of football is his organizing the touch-football games on the Ft. Sam Houston parade grounds during the summer after completing high school. Some of the waiters at the Officers’ Club challenged the teenagers to a game. The "game" became an annual event, a classic, for many years after Bob moved on. The youngsters never won, but Bob never lost, "time just ran out."</p>
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At graduation in June 1955, Bob proudly received his diploma from President Eisenhower. Shortly thereafter, he attended the Basic Infantry Officers Course and Airborne and Ranger Schools. In 1956, he joined the 504th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. A year later he transferred to the 3rd Infantry Division, Ft. Benning, GA, which gyroscoped to Germany. He served as a company commander in the 2nd Battle Group, 4th Infantry. In I960, Bob returned to Ft. Benning to attend the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, followed by an assignment in 1961 as an assistant professor of Military Science at Clemson University, SC.</p>
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In 1964, Bob began the study of the Thai language at the Defense Language Institute, Monterey, CA, in preparation for assignment as the advisor to the Thai 5th Regimental Combat Team. He returned from Thailand in 1966 to attend CGSC at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. Following graduation, he was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division in VietNam, where he served as the executive officer, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry. Upon his return to the States, Bob was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Research and Development at the Pentagon during 1968-70. While in Washington, he obtained a master’s degree in South and Southeast Asia and the Thai language.</p>
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During 1971-73, Bob commanded the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, Ft. Hood, TX. In 1973, he attended the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA, followed by assignment in 1974 to the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea as the Division G-3. Perhaps his next assignment as the commander of the 1st Regiment, USCC, at West Point, was his favorite.</p>
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After attending a Thai refresher course at the State Department in 1977, he was assigned to the U.S. embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, as the Army attache, effectively combining his master s degree and experience with the Thai Army. In 1980, he was the deputy post commander at Ft. Leavenworth, KS, and served his final assignment, 1982-84, as the chief of readiness and mobilization at Ft. Sam Houston, TX Notyet ready for retirement, Bob began another military career in uniform as the commandant of San Antonio Academy. He was the dean of discipline, math teacher, soccer coach, mentor, and role model to those young cadets. In 1996, the San Antonio Academy dedicated the yearbook to him, a touching memento of a lifetime of service and their respect and affection.</p>
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Bob's military awards include the Silver Star, three awards of the Bronze Star (one for valor), Legion of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, VietNam Service Medal, Republic of VietNam Campaign Medal, two Air Medals, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.</p>
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Bob is survived by his wife of 39 years, Nancy Cowan Joseph, also from a military family. They were blessed with three children: Carolyn, Barbara, and Robert E. Joseph III. Daughter Barbara died in 1988 as the result of an automobile accident. Carolyn and her husband, John Abshier, of New Braunfels, TX, have given their parents two grandchildren, Brian and Melissa. Brian, now 15 years old, hopes to be a fourth generation soldier and attend West Point or Annapolis.</p>
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Bob, Stump, Joe—it takes several names to describe and define COL Robert E. Joseph, Jr. Perhaps Nancy put it best, "He was ‘Bob’ to his parents; ‘Joe’ to me, ‘Stump’ to his classmates, ‘dad’ to his children, and ‘granddad’ to Brian and Melissa. He was a man who loved intensely and devoted himself as much as humanly possible to every endeavor. He never put himself first; it always was his family, his troops, his peers, his friends, his students, and foremost his God. Bob’s life and career were characterized by integrity, duty, leadership, love of country, and a loving and supportive family, who understood the meaning of ‘Duty, Honor, Country.’ Those of us who were privileged to share his life are the ones who are blessed."</p>
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Carolyn said that her "dad was an outstanding father, modeling the virtues of honesty, integrity, loyalty and always giving it his all. I am so blessed to have been his daughter. Dad always supported us and told us that we could accomplish whatever we wanted." She adds that she will "miss his sense of humor, his love of the outdoors, and his companionship. One of his favorite pastimes was to enj oy the outdoors with his family and pets. Whenever I am outside doing the same, I take dad with me. I love you, dad."</p>
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Robert said, "You were not only a great dad, but also a dear friend. There will not be a day that goes by that I will not think of you and miss you."</p>
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In the closing months of his life, Bob fought the good fight battling leukemia. He died peacefully with his loving wife, children, and grandchildren close by. Rest in peace. Bob, Stump, Joe, you lived your life as we all should. Well done.</p>
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<em>John Feagin, Joe Vincent, Mike Stevenson, and the family: Nancy, Robert, Carolyn, John, Brian, and Melissa</em></p>