POSHARD ROBERT J

COL Robert J. Poshard was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 04/16/2009 at the age of 75.6 from Alzheimers
Springfield, IL
Date of Birth 09/27/1933
Served in the U.S. Army
This information was provided by Wife's note

More detail on this person: Robert J. Poshard Robert J. Poshard, Colonel, United States Army (Retired) died at his home in Springfield, on April 16th, 2009. He was born 27 September, 1933 in New Haven, Illinois son of the late Robert Steward and Lorene Cathy Poshard. He married Kay Rider in New Haven, IL August 3, 1958. Robert began his military career as an enlisted man, serving two years in the U.S. Army from 1953-55. He attended Southern Illinois University from 1955-58 and was principal and basketball coach of Concord Grade School. He earned a B.S. from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and a M.A. from Central Michigan University. He returned to active military duty during the Berlin Crisis in 1961, and completed Infantry Officers Candidate School in 1962. His military education included Aviation Flight Training, Advanced Officers Course, Command General Staff College and the Army War College. His military assignments included tours of duty in Korea and as an aviator in Europe and Vietnam. After service as an Army Aviation School Instructor, he returned to Vietnam as a Battalion Commander. He was a Professor of Military Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, from 1978-82, and achieved the rank of Colonel in 1983. He retired from active military duty in 1989 with 18 military awards including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and three Bronze Stars. He is a member of the Infantry Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame. Upon his retirement, he continues to serve veterans in Illinois, first as the Veterans Coordinator for the Secretary of State, and then as Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs from 1990-1994/ He was a member of the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, the Ridgway Masonic Lodge #816 AF&AM, and the Scottish Rite at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. Colonel Poshard is survived by his wife, Kay and their three daughters, Jennifer Jennings, her husband Martin, and their sons Robert and Andrew, of Spooner, Wisconsin, Stephanie Eckels, her husband Christopher, and their daughters Brittney, Elise and Amy of Champaign, Illinois and Melissa Kettler, her husband Bruce, and their daughters Lydia and Lily of Woodbury, Minnesota; his brother James O. and wife Ruby of Equality, IL. Arrangements are under the direction of Bisch Funeral Home West 2931 S. Koke Mill Rd. where visitation will be on Sunday April 19, 2009 from 1:00 PM until time of services there at 3:00 PM Sunday. Rev. Dr. Roger S. Ross will officiate with special music selection by Rev. Bob Swickard.. Visitation will also be held for Robert will be held on Monday, April 20, 2009 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Union Ridge Presbyterian Church near New Haven. Masonic rites will be held at 11:30 a.m. by the Ridgway Masonic Lodge #816. A Graveside service will follow with Mr. Glen Poshard officiating. New Haven American Legion Post# 1141 in charge of military rites. Burial will be at Union Ridge Cemetery. Vickery Funeral Chapel in Ridgway will be in charge of local arrangements.

Burial information: Union Ridge Cemetery, Herald, IL

This information was last updated 03/30/2020

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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