“May battalions of angels sing thee to thy resting place, brave soldier.”

Although Roger and I were companymates for four years, my first true encounter with his tenacity and character came in Ranger School, as we supported each other through the most challenging of times. Roger’s very keen sense of attention to detail and the car­ing support he provided forever sealed our friendship. He possessed a unique capabil­ity to gather close friends and supporters throughout a long and successful career. As with almost all Army friendships, ours was often one of separation and long distance. Our connections, though, were strong. After retirement, those bonds brought us together to create a very successful business focused on training and development.

I can say, without any hesitation, that I have never known a partner with quite the depth of energy, commitment to colleagues, and deep love of family. When asked, Roger would invariably say the best things he ac­complished in life were his marriage to Birgitt and raising his two sons, Glenn and David. He took great pride in both sons graduating from West Point. The Army was Roger’s other passion, and he excelled as an officer throughout his career. Somehow, and better than many of us, he balanced this passion with his commitment to family and succeeded in both.

Roger’s first assignment after graduation was with the 82d Airborne Division. He then was assigned to the headquarters of the 8th Infantry Division in Bad Kreuznach, Germany. There, the most significant ex­perience of his life began. Roger met and married a beautiful German fraulein, Birgitt Stein. They remained married for 44 years. In typical fashion, Roger also became a member of Birgitt’s family and entered into a deep, long-term exchange of love and affec­tion with them.

Their sons’ strongest recollection of their father was Roger’s pride and love for his grandchildren. Roger was noted for constantly asking for pictures of them and posting them all over his house and home office. Continuing a tradition that began in Austria, Roger and Birgitt were passionate about skiing, which they pursued until two weeks before Roger’s untimely death. They would relax together, ski during the day, and then play cards well into the night.

Roger Graham Seymour was raised a hundred miles north of New York City in Hudson. His father died when he was ten, so Roger was brought up by his mother, his grandmother, and his mother’s sister. He was a popular student at Hudson High School, an athlete of some accomplishment, and was recognized among his friends as a strong competitor and team player. He also was a member the school debate team and theater group. His summers were spent as a lifeguard at the local lake. His background and accomplishments served him well. His first year out of high school, Roger received an appointment to West Point from New York’s 29th Congressional District.

As a cadet, Roger was assigned to Com­pany K-2 and spent his share of hours in Central Area, walking tours. If he had a claim, it was simply being one of the guys in the class, and he made many close friends. Roger’s absolute claim to fame came the night before graduation, when, in a hurry to get back on post before curfew, he took a curve too fast on one of New York’s mountain roads and totaled his brand new car. Needless to say, he arrived a little late. His tardiness also placed him in conflict with the Tactical Department on his final day as a cadet.

Undoubtedly, the active Army was Roger’s real forte. During a 28-year career, Roger was fully at home; he was stellar in performance and a true warrior. Roger chose Infantry as his branch, and the choice was a perfect fit. In Viet Nam, he served in the 1st Infantry Division, 16th Infantry Regiment. He commanded soldiers and was awarded the Silver Star. He was also severely wound­ed and evacuated to Japan. Truly commit­ted to his mission, however, he returned to Viet Nam to finish his tour. He spent a large part of his career in Special Forces, serving in the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). His first assignment was as an A-team leader in Germany, a second as a battalion com­mander, also in Germany, and the capstone assignment was commanding the 10th Special Forces Group at Ft. Devens, MA. He retired from that position. His choice, after retirement, was to focus on supporting Birgitt’s career.

During his career, Roger earned two master’s degrees. He also became a German linguist, and the Army rewarded him with assignments to the U.S. Embassy in Vienna and to the NATO North Army Group Headquarters in Moenchengladbach, Germany. His four-star German boss re­quired Roger to conduct all business with him in German. Roger reveled and took great pride in being able to accomplish this. The assignment with the U.S. Embassy was his favorite. He and Birgitt often told me that the tour in Vienna was the most pleas­ant and rewarding of their lives. His col­leagues from Moenchengladbach tell stories of his irreverence toward the cultural stiff­ness of a largely German and British staffed headquarters, and of the pranks he and his staff would play to loosen the atmosphere.

Roger’s strength came from giving. He gave himself totally to family, relationships, and military career. He committed his heart and soul to all that he undertook. It seems there was nothing Roger would not give to people and causes he loved. Roger also gave the impression of standing stronger than a steel tower. It is apparent that he could over­come. God’s speed my friend. Rest in peace!

—Mike Mierau ’60, classmate and friend