Robert E. McCleave, Jr, Col., USA, Retired

Colonel Robert E. McCleave, Jr, USA, Retired

Robert E. McCleave, Jr., of Honolulu, HI and Reston, VA, left us peacefully on July 6th 2012, surrounded by family. He is fondly remembered as a caring, considerate, and brilliant man whose passion for life was undiminished, even in the face of his debilitating illness. He was born in Philadelphia, PA on December 30, 1934 to Robert and Anna (Kolson) McCleave. He attended the University of Pennsylvania earning a B.A. in History in 1956 and the University of Tennessee earning an M.S. in Transportation in 1962. He met his loving wife Patricia in Philadelphia and they married in 1957, sharing 55 years together travelling the world for both work and pleasure. They have two daughters, Pamela and Leslie.

Bob joined ROTC while at the University of Pennsylvania and was a proud transportation officer in the U.S. Army for 27 years. He retired as a full Colonel and received many commendations during his distinguished military career including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Legion of Merit and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm. He attended the Naval War College in 1969 and the National War College in 1976. Among his many assignments were two tours of duty in Korea and one in Vietnam, as well as CINCPAC in Hawaii, the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon and the faculty of the National Defense University. He went on to a second career as an Acquisition Analyst with Advanced Technologies/Litton/PRC, retiring in 2001.  

He was a passionate reader and scholar and loved history, art, classical music, opera, sailing, and world travel. His lifelong passion for transportation, particularly trains, was evidenced by his support for the Army Transportation Museum as a board member and his membership in the National Defense Transportation Association. He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends. In addition to Pat, Pamela and Leslie, he is survived by his loving sister Anna McCleave Hails, many devoted nieces and nephews, and countless friends and colleagues.

A small family service was held at Maunakea Chapel in Honolulu on July 11th and a memorial service will be held December 3rd, at 1pm at the Old Post Chapel at Fort Myer, followed by interment at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bob's memory to the Army Transportation Museum Fund, P.O. Box Draw D, Fort Eustis, VA 23604; or the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, www.pdf.org.