Today I had the honor and privilege of attending the funeral of Brigadier General Robert F. McDermott. He passed away last week of a stroke, while at his desk working at the University of the Incarnate Word. He was 86, but as energetic and full of the hope for the future as when he arrive in San Antonio in 1968, at age 48. He had already completed a full career – from fighter pilot on D-day, to becoming the first permanent dean of the faculty at USAFA.

In San Antonio he galvanized the community, created a vision of what could be, and executed on that. He turned USAA from a $271M company to a $31 Billion company, kept the Spurs in San Antonio, built the Alamodome, Fiesta Texas, La Cantera, the Economic Development Foundation, The Texas Research Park, and brought together unhappy factions of San Antonio. The arrival of a new Toyota factory and the explosive growth of this region is directly due to his influence and legacy.

The funeral was attended by 600 of faithful friends from all over the region, former USAA employees and presidents, politicians, business people, and McD’s large extended family from his first wife Alice and second wife Marnie.  It was dignified as McD was, and ended with the roll of a snare drum, and then the Jim Collum jazz band rendition of “As the Saints Go Marching In.” I’ve never seen the Archbishop recess to that tune.

As former Secretary of Housing Henry Cisneros gave a moving eulogy of his life, I thought back on my academy experience, which began a year after McD had finished making his mark on USAFA, creating a radical new military education curriculum with freedom to choose academic majors, and the creation of the“whole-man” concept, with character and integrity as cornerstones along with academic rigor.

In the past six years Catherine and I had the opportunity to see McD several times. Catherine had worked at USAA when he was chairman, and we saw him each year at the Alamo chapter Founder’s Day dinner and other San Antonio events. He always remembered us.

Three years ago, Catherine and I picked Marnie and the General up from their home in Terrell Hills, and took them to the Fiesta Gartenfest, where the USAFA drum and bugle corps played, and the Academy choir sang and honored him. We had an enjoyable evening with the grads and the Fiesta partygoers that evening.

Just two months ago, McD and Marnie were invited to the 50^th anniversary mass for Archbishop Flores of San Antonio, who had just retired. The chancery asked me to provide transportation for them, so we picked them up at the USAA towers where they had recently moved to after selling their house.  I expected to be just a chauffeur, and drop them at the front door, but the Sister in charge of the liturgy asked us to join them in the front row with Bishop Flores’ family. The reception after the mass was a bit of pandemonium, as Bishop Flores came to sit with us, and hundreds of people lined up to wish Bishop Flores well. My humble task of finding food and drink for them among the crowds was my last service to McD. As we dropped them off at the towers, McD opened the door for Catherine – always the gentleman. He told us that next time we met, we’d have to come up and see their apartment – then followed up with a hand-written card of thanks and invitation.

McD was the most influential person I have ever personally known. Many of the grads in the San Antonio area could call him a close friend, and spent much time with him. My time was brief, and I look forward to visiting him someday in his new apartment – the one I’m sure he occupies in the garden, right at the foot steps of our Lord “up there.”

I wanted to be at this historic event today, on behalf of all Academy graduates who owe part of their life to his influence, and wanted to share this with you.

Mike Nishimuta

September 1, 2006

San Antonio, TX

Link to Eulogy