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Robert J. Washer

 

No. 19732 • Sep 15, 1931 - Nov 25, 2010        

Died in El Paso, TX

Interred in Fort Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, TX

 

Robert Jack Washer, the second of three sons, was born and raised in the boisterous Jewish family of Herbert and Ethel (Moss) Washer on the south side of Chicago. A third alternate congressional appointment should not have been enough for him to enter West Point in the summer of 1950. But the other appointees either changed their plans or didn’t pass the entrance requirements, a turn of events that would mark his destiny.

Bob’s stature (5'9-3/4") earned him a position in company D-2. ‘Wash’ was active on the Pointer and Howitzer staffs and broke the routine of academics with the German Club, Jewish Chapel Choir and some 400 hours of punishment tours on Central Area.

His ability to weave incredible stories inspired both fascination and controversy. Some of his legendary exploits will remain shrouded in mystery as they could not be clearly corroborated by his classmates some 60 years later. Nevertheless, his children have vivid memories of these stories: president of the illegal poker club, kidnapping Navy’s goat, mapping the steam tunnels and validating 94 prunes in one sitting.

After the Armor Officer Basic Course, Bob nearly drowned after landing in the Chattahoochee River on his final parachute jump at Fort Benning. He proposed to Shirley Edelman from his hospital bed, and she remained at his side for 55 years, raising four sons who have given them 14 adoring grandchildren.

He became an expert marksman in all the major weapons systems while serving as platoon leader, XO, S-2 and S-3 for the 3rd Reconnaisance Squadron in Büdingen, Germany. One of his fonder memories was training Elvis Presley, who was assigned to this unit.

After completing a master’s in nuclear physics from Tulane University, he worked in R&D on nuclear devices at Lawrence Radiation Laboratories. His evaluators considered him an officer of exceptional integrity and courage and a brilliant and innovative scientist, on par with the finest minds of his day. He voluntarily disarmed a hot nuclear device of his design and construction that failed to detonate during testing in the subterranean caverns of the facility.

Major Washer received the Joint Service Commendation Medal for monitoring the Warsaw pact nuclear missile silos from the Airborne Command Post in Mildenhall, England. Two tours in Vietnam and exposure to Agent Orange led to 100 percent disability after retirement, but he continued his lifelong love for racquetball and golf, including documented holes in one.

Lieutenant Colonel Washer reached the peak of his career as battalion commander, brigade XO and division G-3 for the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, CO (1970-73). After the Yom Kippur War, Bob the fiery Zionist flew the Israeli flag on the highest antenna of his Jeep “Hanukkah.” Loved by the press, his commanders and Soldiers for his brash opinions, movie star looks and charisma, he was pronounced “The Moshe Dayan of the Mojave Desert.” His first son, Steven, continues this legacy today as an actor, playwright and film producer.

Bob then served as Professor of Military Science at Campbell University, NC and Director of Tactics at C&GSC, Fort Leavenworth, KS (1975-78). His second son, Dean, continues this heritage of academics as an educator. Bob pioneered the Army’s use of computerized war games for weapons systems R&D until his retirement from active duty as a full colonel in 1983 at White Sands Missile Range, earning him a second Legion of Merit. He turned down recommendations to attend “charm school” and promotion to general officer.

After 19 duty posts in 24 years, the Washers settled in El Paso, where Bob and Shirley were active at Temple Mount Sinai. While recovering from a major heart attack, Bob experienced a visitation from a luminous figure described by the family as “The Ancient of Days” and began attending the Messianic synagogue of his third son, the renowned Messianic artist Michael Washer. ‘The War Horse’ endured seven years of suffering from the debilitating effects of Agent Orange with dignity and a sterling memory (except for the names of his sons and grandchildren). When all his ammunition was spent, he still had one magic bullet left, his infectious sense of humor.

Colonel Robert Jack Washer passed away on Thanksgiving 2010 leaving an imperishable legacy of leadership, inspiration and devotion to family. As he concluded in a 1971 Memorial Day speech, “Today it is well to remember that dedication to the simple challenges of Duty, Honor, and Country can inspire men to deeds beyond their normal strength and courage. This is the spirit which protects the impossible dream of our forefathers.”

His youngest son Lawrence (aka Chaim Warshawsky), USMA ’84 and primary author of this article, is a former captain in the Corps of Engineers of both the U.S. Army and the IDF Reserves. Bob’s wife Shirley resides with Michael and his family in El Paso, TX.

 

Originally published in TAPS 2015

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