Richard Wendell Streiff

STREIFF, Colonel Richard WendellOf Nashville, TN. November 29, 2008. Colonel Streiff was a 1946 graduate of the United States Military Academy West Point, attaining a subsequent Masters in International Affairs at George Washington University. He was also a graduate of the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS, the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, VA, and the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. His military career took him to most of the continental states and included overseas service in the Panama Canal Zone, Korea, and three tours in West Germany, in addition to some 20 other foreign nations. He served on battalion, regimental, division, corps, and field army staffs. He was awarded the Silver Star twice for valor in combat and the Purple Heart during the Korean Conflict. Subsequently, he received five awards of the Army Commendation Ribbon. Some of his many assignments included duty as Commanding Officer of a tank battalion at Fort Carson, CO and Deputy Post Commander and Deputy Chief of Staff at that same station. Colonel Streiff also served as the Commanding Officer of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, TX. Later in his career, he served at the White House as the Assistant Military Aide to President Eisenhower from 1953 to 1956, and again from 1959 through the period of General Eisenhower's Presidency. Some of his last military assignments included serving as Deputy Special Assistant to President Nixon as a liaison with former Presidents, and conducted the Flexibility Study at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. Although he obviously achieved tremendous accomplishments throughout his military career, he valued family dearly. He was a gentle and loving husband and father. He will be remembered as an extraordinary man who loved God, family, and his country. Survived by wife, Phyllis Streiff of Nashville, TN; daughter, Nicole Streiff (Patrick) McCoin, MD of Franklin, TN; son, James Dale (Pamela) Streiff of Lebanon, PA; daughter-in-law, Nancy Streiff of Reston, VA; brother-in-law, Herbert Cliff Black and nephew, Benjamin Black of Danville, KY; grandchildren, Catherine Ann McCoin, Jason, Joshua & Erik Streiff. Preceded in death by his parents, Fred P. and Esther K. Streiff of New Glarus, WI and son, Rick Streiff. Services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, December 6, 2008 at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home, Brigadier General Jeremiah Brophy, USA (Ret) and Rev. Lloyd Lawrence officiating. Interment Arlington National Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Honorary Pallbearers will be the U.S. Military Academy West Point Classmates; 70th Tank Battalion Association; General John SD Eisenhower, Dr. John Streiff, Senator Harlan Mathews, Richard Marquardt, Donald Ball, Harry Chapman, Colonel Guy Troy, Dr. Paul Barnett, Colonel Charles P. Baker III, Dr. Stuart Spigel and Roger Hefty. Memorials may be made to the Swiss Church of New Glarus, Colonel Richard Streiff Memorial Fund, PO Box 97, New Glarus, WI 53574. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to the 11 a.m. Saturday service at WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, (615) 794-2289.