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No one was better suited to the Company
M-2 “Above the Rest” tradition than Bob
Guidera. He was our congenial, gentle giant–a
ferocious and feared competitor on the football
field, but generous, considerate, and loyal
to his companymates, friends, and family.
Bob’s legacy is that of the ultimate competitor.
Regardless of the challenge or circumstances,
he never gave up. For the last four or five years
of his life, Bob fought an uphill battle against
cancer. He attacked it with the same determination
and resourcefulness that had made him
such a dominant force on the Army line. He
kept pushing his doctors for alternative strategies
and new approaches, and he volunteered
for and endured radical new treatments, despite
the discomfort and risk. Long after his
doctors had given up, Bob was still fighting.
Somehow he found optimism and humor in
his battle. In our frequent conversations with
Bob during those final days, he left us inspired
and convinced of his indestructibility.
ROBERT JOSEPH GUIDERA was
the seventh of eight children born to Thomas
and Augusta Jennings Guidera in Westbury,
Long Island, NY. He was christened Robert
Joseph Guidera, but, at the insistence of his
devout Catholic mother, Bob’s Confirmation
name also was Joseph, making him Robert
Joseph Joseph Guidera. Bob’s father was a
successful builder, and the Guideras enjoyed
a privileged lifestyle until the late 1930s,
when the housing market crashed. The family
moved into more modest living arrangements
but remained in Westbury, where Bob attended
public schools. He starred in prep school
football and track and was recruited by several
prestigious eastern schools.
Bob attended St. John’s College for a
year before his older brother Tom convinced
him to seek entrance to West Point and play
football for Coach Earl Blaik. Bob’s one-on-one
tryout against Army assistant coach and
All-American Johnny Green was an unqualified success, and Bob became one of “Blaik’s
Boys.” He was awarded an appointment from
Arkansas. Sadly, Bob’s father passed away the
night before Bob took his entrance examination.
With true Guidera grit, he passed his
entrance exams and entered the Academy
in 1950.
Bob fit well into the relatively easygoing
lifestyle of the M-2 irregulars. Academics were
less challenging than he had expected, so he
shifted his focus to further improving his athletic
and social skills. He won enough money
through his bridge prowess and his orange
juice sales to finance many enjoyable weekends
in New York.
Meanwhile, Bob became the mainstay of
the Army defensive line that had been decimated
by the 1951 cribbing scandal. Blaik
called him “my best tackle,” and because of
the thinned ranks of quality football players
at the time, Bob often played hurt or in
multiple positions for extended minutes.
Coming back too quickly after knee injuries
took its toll, however, and by the end of his
third competitive season, Bob had sustained
injuries that not only ended his football career
but also physically disqualified him for an
Army commission.
Upon graduation, Bob entered the corporate
world as a sales representative for
General Electric. From 1954 until 1965, he
achieved considerable success selling throughout
Massachusetts, Maine, Indiana, Ohio
and North Carolina. From 1965 to 1967,
Bob worked as the marketing manager for Elastimold, also known as ESNA. In 1967, he
was recruited by Kellems Company (a manufacturer
of utility devices) and was appointed
vice-president and general manager. After
Kellems, Bob ran his own concrete business
for a few years before returning to Elastimold
in 1976 as its president. In 1983, he took
charge of International Operations and, during
his tenure, coordinated one of the first
joint ventures of a U.S. company with mainland
China. In 1988, Bob and two friends
purchased the Utilities Service Company in
Allentown, PA. Bob became the president
and managing partner in the production and
distribution of telephone pole line hardware
for nationwide utility companies. Basically a
one-man show, Bob turned it into a huge success
for the partnership.
Complementing and supporting Bob’s
ultimate success was his inspiring and dedicated
family. His first marriage, to Marjorie Schoonemaker, upon graduation, produced
six remarkable children and provided stability
and support while Bob struggled to gain
a foothold in the corporate world. In 1971,
their marriage was dissolved. In 1982, Bob
married Kay Morrill, and this marriage produced
two sons, Matthew and Sean. The two
families blended well, and Bob’s four older sons
regularly take Kay’s younger boys on camping
adventures and trips. A strong Guidera family
bond prevails.
Ultimately, the legacy of a man must be
his children. Bob was the captain of the family
ship, and his children have pursued lives of
achievement. Robert Joseph, the eldest son,
lives in Hood River, OR, where he owns a
custom-homebuilding company. Amy, his first daughter, lives in Smithfield, VA, with her
husband Paul. Timothy, the second son, lives
in Pawcatuck, CT, where he owns and operates
Fabrigraphics, a custom embroidery business.
Laura, the second daughter, lives in Boston,
running her own interior design business.
Michael, who looks so much like his father,
lives in Stonington, CT, and is the pre-production
manager for Konover Construction
Corporation. Christopher, Bob’s youngest
child by Marge, lives in Broomfield, CO, and
is Mr. Mom for his three children.
Kay and Bob’s two sons followed in their
father’s footsteps, excelling in several sports
in high school. Matthew is now a senior at
The Citadel and Sean is a sophomore at the
University of Delaware.
To his family and M-2 companymates,
Bob Guidera was an icon. His compassion,
humor, and courage touched our lives. He
lived his life as a leader, consistent with the
highest principles of West Point, and truly
demonstrated that he was “Above the Rest.”
We all hope someday to be remembered as
Bob is.
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