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<em><span lang="EN">Robert Batson Davidson Jr. </span></em><font size="2">was born Sep 27, 1936, in Richmond, KY, where he attended Model High School. He earned an appointment to the United States Military Academy and graduated with the Class of 1960. His brother John recalls: "Robert was eight years older, and most of my memories are from growing up with him on the farm. He learned to work in the tobacco fields during a time when horses were still used. He was also active in the Boy Scouts and became an Eagle Scout, although he got into trouble for running a gambling operation during the summer he served as a Boy Scout counselor. Bob was dedicated to his family and organized his life to provide excellent educations for his children and a rich life for them." </font></p>
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<font size="2">As a cadet, Bob was a member of Company E-2. During his time at West Point, he distinguished himself as an intercollegiate wrestler and as a member of the Cadet Chapel choir. Companymate Jim DeMent recalls: "I wrestled against Bob in the required plebe wrestling program. We were the same size, and I thought I could do all right; I lasted about thirty seconds. He was kind and gentle as he helped me up from the ‘pinned’ position!" In the 1960 <i>Howitzer</i>, Bob’s biographer wrote: "Bob had the spirit of aged Kentucky liquor in his veins. He won much respect and many friends in his endeavors." </font></p>
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<font size="2">Bob’s career as a Signal Corps officer included tours of duty in Italy, in Korea, and with the 18th Airborne Corps at Ft. Bragg, NC. He was full of energy and enthusiasm, and always had a big smile available. E-2 mate Phil Chappell recalls: "Bob was my best friend. We were stationed in Vicenza, Italy for our first assigned duty. He was my ski and golf buddy. We learned to ski the Swiss Alps and the Italian Dolomites, and later skied the Rocky Mountains. Bob had many interests, and he enjoyed a good meal with a fine bottle of white wine."</font></p>
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<font size="2">Bob left the Army as a major in 1968 in order to attend Harvard Business School, from which he graduated with distinction. He began his entrepreneurial civilian career with Burr Brown Corporation in finance and later in marketing. He then moved to Teradyne, Inc., first as Midwest Sales Manager, then as Bell Account Manager, living in Weston, MA. He then became a Vice President at Bowmar, Inc., and then moved to Scientific Atlanta to head up their telecommunications instrumentation business. In 1991, Bob became President of Wandel & Goltermann Technologies, which he took public in 1994. He finished his business career as President and Chief Operating Officer of Integrated Network Corporation in Bridgewater, NJ, retiring in 2001. </font></p>
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<font size="2">With respect to family life, Bob married Molly Mitchell on Jun 25, 1960. They had five children: Guy, Daniel, Leslie, Thomas and Marian. Bob and Molly divorced in 1989. In 1991, Bob married Fran Lekberg, who had four children. He enjoyed the reaction he got when telling new acquaintances that they had nine children! He was an avid traveler and skier, a connoisseur of white wine, and a golf enthusiast. Bob died on Oct 1, 2007, after a nine-month battle with stomach cancer, a battle fought with courage, dignity, and grace. His wife Fran referred to his struggle as "that amazing Davidson spirit!" Best friend Phil Chappell spoke with Bob late in the illness and asked, "With all the operations and procedures, with perhaps more to come, how you handle it so well?" Bob replied straightforwardly, "You play the hand you are dealt." Like the Old Army saying, you "soldier on." Son Guy recalls: "With respect to courage, I can’t imagine walking away from an income and career to attend graduate school, with four kids under the age of six! Dad did. With respect to drive, he knew three wrestling moves his freshman year at West Point. He applied those three moves as hard as he could and ended up having a good season. With respect to dignity, my Father always stood on his own feet. Multiple Sclerosis struck Dad in business school. He spent time in the hospital, but graduated on time. He didn’t make excuses, and he didn’t want attention. We will miss him terribly, but we are grateful for the time we had with him, and the gifts he gave us. My Father was very happy with his life with Fran." Daughter Leslie: "Dad was a presence. He always stood tall, chest out and shoulders back. As a child you knew that he loved you and cared for you more than words could ever say. He led by example. I loved it when Dad would attend my soccer games or diving meets. When he was there, you tried harder. I miss his familiar deep voice, his million-dollar smile, his great sense of humor, and his Fatherly advice. He was a great Father and an amazing constant in my life." Rest in peace, friend; we are better for having known you.</font></p>
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<font size="2"><i>—Fran, children, brother, & E-2 classmates </i></font></p>