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With all due respect to the fine members of the United States Military Academy Class of 1942, there probably was none anymore idealistic or caring than <em>Robert W. Beers</em>. If there were a Knight in Shining Armor, he truly would have represented it. He carried these qualities all the way through two years of a German prison camp, through the realities of a demanding and distinguished career in (he Air Force, and for the last few years, through the terribly innervating results of a rare disease that caused continuous low blood pressure. He never allowed anything to deter either his splendid spirit, or his dedication to fighting for the country and the Services he loved. Right up to the last few weeks before Bob died, he was writing letters to his local and state governments and to the President of the United States in an effort to straighten out some of the messes we have so frequently gotten ourselves into.</p>
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Bob was reared in the Army. His father was Colonel William Henry Beers. The Beers moved around as all Army families do. When his father was transferred to China in the 1930’s, Bob and his mother stayed in Winter Park, Florida. After graduation from the high school there, Bob entered West Point in the Class of 1942. While at West Point, Bob’s spirit and heart were prime ingredients in his participation in varsity lacrosse and in four Corps championship intramural teams. In his First Class year he distinguished himself as a varsity cheerleader.</p>
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Five days after graduation Bob married Sarah (Boots) Miller from Washington, D.C. Following graduation from pilot training and combat crew training in B-17's, Bob became a captain and flight leader in the 401st Bomb Group in England. After six missions over Germany, he was shot down over Frankfurt on 29 January 1944 and spent the duration of the war in Europe as a Prisoner of War. Except for this he would have assuredly been promoted to lieutenant colonel before V-E Day, like the other four members in our Class who were in the same group.</p>
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Bob's and Boots' first child, Robert W. Beers Jr., was born in April 1943 and their second child, Mabel Elizabeth Beers was born in May 1946.</p>
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After the war, Robert held a number of assignments with the Air Force and rose rapidly to the rank of lieutenant colonel. One of his key assignments was as Defense Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in the Hague, Netherlands, where he was awarded the Dutch Government's de Orde van Oranje Nassau.</p>
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During the Berlin Airlift, he served as Chief Petroleum Officer. He was promoted to colonel in 1960 and when he retired for disability in 1967, he was serving as Chief of the Supply Systems and Support Division, Chief of Staff for Logistics, Headquarters, United States Air Force. He held the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Legion of Merit.</p>
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After retirement from the Air Force he was Director of W.C. and A.N. Miller Development Co., which developed the Spring Valley area in Washington, and was a part of the syndicate that built Crystal Towers in Washington.</p>
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Robert died of a heart attack at the age of 54 at his winter home in Eleuthera, Bahamas, 20 April 1975. He is survived by his wife, Sarah Miller Beers; a son, Robert W. Jr.; a daughter, Mrs. Walter P, E. Stansbury; two grandchildren, Robert W. HI and Kristine; and a sister, Mrs. George Wilder.</p>
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We will all miss Bob. He always gave more of himself than he expected in return. His spirit lives on with those that knew him and we arc richer for the experience.</p>
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<em>—Robinson </em>and<em> Evans </em>Classmates</p>
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