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Col. Harold Boyd Birch

Col. Harold Boyd Birch obituary, Columbia, SC

Harold Birch Obituary

Col. Harold Boyd Birch U.S. Army (Ret.) COLUMBIA A private graveside ceremony for Col. Harold Boyd Birch, U.S. Army (Ret.), was held Monday, December 3, 2012, in the Hebrew Benevolent Society Cemetery. Hal Birch, who died Saturday, December 1, 2012, was born in Pittsburgh, PA on May 1, 1929. He was the son of the late Harold Boyd, Sr. and Helen Fulton Birch. His educational degrees include a BS in Forestry from Penn State University, a Masters Degree in Education from Colorado State University, a Masters Degree in International Studies from George Washington University and a Ph.D in Political Science from the University of South Carolina. He was also a graduate of the Marine Corps Command & Staff College in Quantico, VA., and the National War College in Washington, D.C. At Colorado State University, he was a ROTC instructor and later served as a faculty member at both the Command & General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, KS., and the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. At the Pentagon, he served as a staff officer, both on the Army Staff and with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. During his 30 years of military service as an infantryman, Col. Birch was a Platoon Leader and Company Commander during the Korean War. In Vietnam he served as Battalion Commander of the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Division and then as Division Personnel Officer. His military service ended at Fort Jackson where he commanded a Brigade and then served as the post's operations officer. In addition to earning two Combat Infantry Badges, his awards included two Legions of Merit, three Bronze Stars for Valor, three Meritorious Service Medals, five Air Medals and a Purple Heart. After his military retirement, Dr. Birch spent ten years at the University of South Carolina where he served as an Assistant Research Professor. There, he taught undergraduate and graduate classes and served as assistant to the department chairman. He published chapters in textbooks on state government and authored an instructor's guide for a textbook on state and local government. With other faculty members, he wrote and co-wrote numerous op-ed pieces that were published in newspapers in three states. After retirement from the University of South Carolina, he wrote and published two books about PA volunteer infantry regiments in the Civil War that had seen service in S.C. The 50th PA's Civil War Odyssey was published in 2003; The 101st PA in the Civil War in 2007. In addition to his hunting and fishing activities, for many years he was President of the Midlands Penn State Alumni Group. He was also involved in a Great Books Discussion group and an active participant in First Nighters, a play-reading group. He was a member of the Korean War Memorial Committee that organized and oversaw the efforts that led to the erection of the Korean War Memorial in Memorial Park. Governor Hodges presented him with the Order of the Silver Crescent for his work and leadership in this effort. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Thalia Womersley Birch; his son and daughter-in-law, David Boyd and Alice Liu Birch; his grandson, William Boyd Birch and his brother, Robert W. Birch. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by a sister, Beverly Birch Taylor. Please sign online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.

Published by The State on Dec. 4, 2012.
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Col. Birch was my Brigade Commander at Ft Jackson, SC. He was a well respected officer. RIP I just found this obituary.....

Ben Currin

January 7, 2022

I am so sorry to hear about Col Birch. I did not know. Regina sent me a message or I would not of known. I just was thinking of taking a picture of all the snow at the cabin for him. Jr. and I will be keeping all of you in our prayers. My son Jay-r enjoyed him stopping in. He will be missed.
Sincerely the Coopers'
Jr Joy & Jay-r

Joy Cooper

December 29, 2012

Thalia, I am so sorry. You have my deepest sympathy. I did not know about Hal's passing. I would have been there for the services. While in the process of mailing your Hanukkah card and Hal's Christmas card, I discovered that I could not find your address. So I goggled Hal to get your address and discovered the sad news.

I held Hal in the highest regard. Under his leadership I became a better oficer, and over the years, I valued his friendship. May Almighty God, bless,keep, and comfort you.

I'll call soon.

Lou Sylvester

December 8, 2012

So sorry to hear this... thinking of all the good times we shared with him when he came to his Buck Ridge camp, we will always cherish these memories. He was a very special friend and neighbor. You're in our thoughts and prayers.

Willie & Regina Williams

December 4, 2012

Nancy and I would like to extend our condolences to the Birch family. We are very sorry for your loss. May God Bless your wonderful family.

Buddy and Nancy Maertens

Buddy and Nancy Maertens

December 4, 2012

On behalf of all of us in the Penn State Alumni Group here in Columbia, our thoughts and prayers are with Hal's family and friends.

Christine Shellito

December 4, 2012

We will miss Hal. His warm and smiling presence will be with us always. Our sincere regrets are with you.
Terry and Stan Gomberg

December 4, 2012

David and Alice: We are so sorry for your loss. We were stationed together way back in the 70's when he and I were both on the Staff and Faculty at the Army War College (he as a Colonel and me as a lowly 2LT). I was honored to have met him again a few years ago. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Clyde and Sandy Brown

December 4, 2012

Hal was as decent and warm a person as I have ever known. I remember him so well as our administrative assistant during my five months as interim chair. He could not have carried out that mission, as he did so many others in his life, with the greatest care and understanding. My deepest condolences to Thalia and the remainder of his family.

Bill Kreml

December 4, 2012

Larry and I are thinking of you during this difficult time...it is so very hard to say goodbye to a parent. He lived a full and amazing life, and obviously did a wonderful job parenting. I hope the sadness of your loss becomes overshadowed by the warmth of his memory very soon... HUGS, Shawna and Larry

Shawna Litman

December 4, 2012

Please accept my deepest condolences.
Harvey Starr

December 4, 2012

I am so sad to hear of Hal's passing. I knew him in grad school at USC and then after as a colleague. Such a nice man and a wonderful scholar. My thoughts are with all of you, his family and friends.

Carol Botsch

December 4, 2012

We are saddened by Hal's passing. Our hearts are with you in this time of sorrow. May your memories of him bring you comfort and strength.

William, Lynn & Julie Liu

December 4, 2012

Thalia,

Very sad news! He'll be missed.

Mark Tompkins

December 4, 2012

David, Cheena, Billy, and Thalia,

Sending my condolences to you during this time of great loss. Although Hal has left the physical world, he will continue to live in everyone's memories. A man who has led a full life will not be forgotten.

Larry

Lawrence Liu

December 4, 2012

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