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<p>On July 3, 1956, a fateful day, <em>Raymond Reed Barrows Jr.</em> joined with other youngsters of that era to become members of the Class of 1960. After an almost endless summer of New Cadet Barracks, he finally found (was actually assigned to) Company M-1, a “runt company” in South Area, which was his home for the next four years of activities and academics. </p>
<p>Reed had an advantage over most of his classmates, even though he came to them from a small town (Seaford, DE)—he spent four years at a prep school! The pride and joy of Seaford, had no trouble at West Point, being well endowed with academics. As such, he had an abundance of time to enjoy some of the activities of the Academy. He enjoyed cross country, swimming, and 150-pound football (manager and head manager) and was a Chapel acolyte for all four years. He was also a member of the Bridge Club, Rocket Society, KDET, and Ski Club. The feeling was that his quiet and friendly style would carry him a long way once he was away from the “Rock” of the Hudson Valley (civilians actually call the “Rock” the U.S. Military Academy at West Point!). </p>
<p>In response to a request, a former roommate responded with the following: “Reed Barrows was the perfect West Point roommate: highly intelligent, quiet, efficient, cooperative, easy-going, and very capable across the board. His prior prep school education served him exceedingly well in Thayer Hall; consequently, he breezed through academic assignments in stride and with minimal difficulty and expenditure of time and effort. He was a team player in every respect: always willing to pitch in and do his fair share and never loud or self-centered. Barely perceptible to everyone except his closest friends were his somewhat understated wit and sly sense of humor, both of which were inextricably linked to a smile or grin. It was, and is, virtually impossible not to admire and respect Reed, as a man, cadet, Army officer, and friend. Well Done, Reed; Be Thou at Peace!” </p>
<p>His active duty, after graduation, was pretty typical for the Engineer Corps, alternating between troop duty, schooling, and teaching. His first assignment was to Korea (1961-62) with the 8th Engineer Battalion. Like most of his classmates, he served two tours in Vietnam (bridge-building efforts): 1967-68 (53rd General Service Group) and 1970 (35th and 40th Engineer Battalions). After resigning in 1974, he followed his father to the Reserve. At the same time, he followed someone who he had met on active duty that caused him to move to Virginia and into the environmental field. </p>
<p>He worked with both Hanover County (as an environment engineer for the county’s Publix Works), where he lived, and ultimately with the state of Virginia (Department of Health, Division on Wastewater). Meanwhile his Reserve assignments included summer camps with the Corps of Engineers’ Environmental Office. His work largely involved efforts to restore Chesapeake Bay. His group of engineers reviewed and approved plans for upgrades of treatment facilities. This meant keeping up with new equipment and processes that some ingenious folks turned out on a regular basis. It was really fascinating. He continued his career with the Department of Environment Quality, serving as a technical services engineer for the Office of Wastewater Engineering. He contributed to the success of numerous wastewater collection and treatment projects in Virgina, vastly improving the quality of the Commonwealth’s water resources. He retired from state service in 2009.</p>
<p>For recreation, he enjoyed meeting with former state workers and friends for lunch or for a happy hour at an area restaurant and craft brewery. He was a member of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for many years. He was interested in agriculture and regularly attended the state fair. The racing pigs show was one of his favorites. </p>
<p>He enjoyed his large vegetable garden and hothouse for growing plants from seeds. He was active in the restoration of an 1890s farmhouse—no easy task, but one which all would expect to be well above the standards of beauty and functionality for a qualified engineer! He wanted the renovation of the farmhouse to meet current building codes but to preserve historical aspects. Using local contractors, he continued with the upgrades until his death, which resulted from a severe stroke.</p>
<p><em>— Mrs. Elizabeth M. Cleary, Sister, and an M-1 Representative</em></p>
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