Walter Rexford “Rex” Good was born in Elmira, NY on June 3, 1939, which made him the youngest member of his graduating class. His parents were Walter Randall Good and Vivian Daggett Good. Rex was an accomplished musician, having begun piano lessons at age 5, later adding the organ and French horn. His extensive training allowed him to serve as assistant organist and junior choir director for his church. At Southside High School, where he would meet his wife, Nancy Lonie, he directed several musical comedies performed by his class. He entered West Point, just a couple of hundred miles east of his home, on July 3, 1956. After Beast Barracks, he was one of four (!) plebes assigned to Room 5454 at the extreme end of the Lost Fifties, the highest numbered room in the Corps of Cadets. His roommates were Gary Holman, Bill Sexton and Bill Sherman. It was a stressful nine months that Rex vividly remembered all his life. Bill Sherman resigned before Christmas; the rest survived.
At the end of plebe year, an event at Camp Buckner changed Rex’s life in a major way. One evening, the Glee Club, with which Rex sang an impressive baritone, was holding a rehearsal. When the pianist from the West Point Band failed to show, Rex was pressed into service. Thenceforth Rex became the accompanist for the Glee Club for the next three years, and for the rest of his life. If there were a piano and a few Old Grads present, Rex would turn the evening into a memorable event.
There were few members of the class who were more involved in cadet activities than Rex Good. It started with the Cadet Chapel Choir; but, in addition to being the cadet-in charge of the Glee Club, he was a four-year member of the Debate Council and Forum and president of the Bridge Club. He was also a member of the Outdoor Sports Club, the Golf Club, the Sailing Club, and the Ski Club, and he was manager of the Lacrosse Team for three years!
Rex graduated eighth in the class in English, which brought him back to West Point in 1968 as an assistant professor teaching plebe composition, but first he was commissioned in the Signal Corps. He and Nancy were married in their hometown 10 days after graduation, and, after a quick introduction to the Signal Corps at Fort Monmouth, NJ, he detoured through Fort Benning, GA to earn his jump wings and Ranger Tab. The Signal Corps did not share his concern about his missing the war, so they began an unusual series of long, stable tours. First was Germany, where he had wonderful experiences as a platoon leader and company commander. His first son, Michael Scott, was born there in 1962. After the Signal Corps career course, he attended the University of Pennsylvania, earning a master’s degree in 18th century British literature. Andrew Lonie was born there in May 1967. Rex transferred to the Infantry in 1970 and joined the 1st Air Cavalry in Vietnam as deputy G-1 and S-3 of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, leaving Nancy home with their three children (Susan Randall [Knott] had been born at West Point in August 1968). After Command and Staff School he became aide and speechwriter for General Kerwin, the first FORSCOM commander, and subsequently was executive officer to General Rogers, his successor. Rex earned a Legion of Merit there. After an assignment at Fort Jackson, SC as the basic training battalion commander, he decided to retire to pursue a more lucrative career that would enable him “to get my very bright children properly educated.” He succeeded. Michael graduated from Duke (Air Force ROTC); Andrew graduated from MIT (Army ROTC); and Susan graduated from Elmira College.
Rex said in the Class of 1960’s Fiftieth Yearbook, “Although institutional food distribution is unarguably an illogical career choice for a professional killer with a degree in 18th century British literature, I loved the business and became good at it.” He was, indeed, and he eventually became the president of Sysco Food Services in Horseheads, NY. It was during this time that his beloved Nancy succumbed to leukemia at age 51 in 1990. Despite all the odds, he was fortunate to meet and marry Anne Arnot Riggs three years later. She quickly bonded with the children and gave him a whole new lease on life.
Just as he was the youngest in the class to graduate, Rex was probably the youngest in the class to retire, which he did at age 57 in 1996. They spent winters in Naples, FL and the summers on Little Moose Lake in Old Forge, NY, where Anne had spent her summers growing up. His new joy was sailing and racing their sailboat in various competitions in the Gulf of Mexico.
Unfortunately for both, Anne suffered debilitating back pain throughout their marriage and later conquered esophageal cancer. Rex was a tremendous caregiver for Anne as her health progressively declined. In late October 2016, Rex found himself widowed for a second time when Anne’s body finally betrayed her spirit for living. He later moved to Tampa, FL to be closer to Susan and Michael.
Rex was a Renaissance man. He was an airborne Ranger infantryman. He had a master’s in English literature, and his musical talents were unequaled. He was a loving father to three kids and seven grandkids. He was a fierce competitor whether it was sailing, golf or bridge. He died in Tampa on August 22, 2018 following complications from a stroke. He joined the Long Gray Line at age 79 having left nothing undone. Well Done, Rex; Be Thou at Peace.
— A Classmate