Robert Harold ‘Bob’ Ammerman Jr. was born January 31, 1938 in Orlando, FL. His early life was spent in Orlando. He graduated from Staunton Military Academy in 1956, ranked second in his class. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1960, ranked 47 out of a class of 549 cadets. Upon graduation, he commissioned Infantry as a second lieutenant and completed Infantry training, Airborne and Ranger School. Bob then served with the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii. There only a year, he left shortly after the birth of son Robert H. III (Tres) for a two-and-a-half year stay with the 1st Special Forces Group on Okinawa, where daughter Elizabeth Lynn was born. Although it was an accompanied tour, Laos, Vietnam and Japan deployments resulted in a lot of letter writing.

While advising Laotian and Vietnamese indigenous forces, Bob engaged in frequent combat encounters and was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman Badge. Before leaving Okinawa, Bob transferred to the Signal Corps and proceeded to the Career Course at Fort Monmouth, NJ in 1964. Then it was off to Georgia Tech for two years where Bob added his master’s degree in electrical engineering, and the family added daughter Kelley Paige.

In 1967, it was back to Vietnam and the 1st Signal Brigade, where Bob added another Bronze Star. Then came three years at West Point as an Electrical Engineering Instructor, earning his Army Commendation medal. One of his cadet students wrote that Bob saved many from the last section he taught by promising never to give up on them and by likening the flow of electricity to the more understandable flow of water. With his combat experience and charismatic and forceful leadership, Bob successfully mentored and was an extraordinary role model for his cadet protégés.

Bob considered teaching fun but wrote hunting, fishing and skiing were more fun. The West Point stay culminated in daughter Dina Rene’s arrival and orders to the Command and General Staff College. Subsequently, while at the Pentagon with the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research Development and Acquisition, Bob earned a Meritorious Service Medal and was selected to train with industry at Martin Marietta in Orlando, where he excelled and impressed senior managers. Bob then commanded the Signal Battalion in Bremerhaven, Germany, where he earned a second Meritorious Service Medal. He then returned to Fort Monmouth as a Program Manager, where he was awarded the Legion of Merit. Although Bob was selected for the Army War College in 1980 and assured promotion, he opted to retire and headed home to Orlando, where he returned to Martin Marietta as a Procurement Director and Program Manager. He guided production of the Communications Nodal Control for the Air Force and overcame significant manufacturing obstacles by his attention to detail and his leadership. During this time, Bob became an avid sailor and spent many happy and exciting days aboard his Mason 43 Cutter — “Valhalla.”

Bob was also was an avid sportsman, an accomplished bow hunter and successfully tracked sheep, moose, caribou and grizzly bears in the Alaskan wilderness. Because of his corporate successes and abilities, Bob was chosen to direct the development of the Supersonic Low Altitude Target for the Navy. This very demanding and stressful fixed-price program earned him promotion to Corporate Vice President and Manager-of-the-Year recognition. In the defense industry, he always put the country’s interest first, insisting our Soldiers receive only the finest mission equipment. As a highly principled and intelligent leader, he enjoyed tremendous success becoming a Vice President at Martin Marietta in record time and successfully managing the most difficult programs.

Some of his happiest days began when he took early retirement and began a life of adventure. He enjoyed the rugged beauty of the Alaskan wilderness and explored the Caribbean on his sailing cutter Valhalla, which was indeed a perfect Soldier’s resting place.

As Bob’s health dictated, he moved ashore and built a beautiful home among the orange groves and lakes in Howey-in- the-Hills, FL. Once ashore, Bob found a new passion, fly fishing. Bob become a master and teacher in the art. Even as Alzheimer’s progressed, he retained his ability to create beautiful, custom flies that attracted lunker fish. In many discussions, Bob remarked about his love for family and the meaning, challenges and happiness they brought to his life. Bob’s life was indeed a remarkable journey. He influenced many lives, lived Duty, Honor, Country, and found strength and happiness in his faith and never ending love of family. Bob was a charismatic officer, gentleman, patriot and true friend.

— Linda Ammerman, wife; Chris Gigicos, D-2 classmate