DANIEL H. WARDROP

WARDROP DANIEL H. WARDROP, BRIGADIER GENERAL, U.S. ARMY (Ret.) Passed away on November 1, 2014. He died from Alzheimer's Disease complications. He was surrounded with love by his family. Dan was a man who loved people and diverse ideas, was generous, intensely curious, fiercely loyal, and above all, a man of integrity. His idyllic childhood, full of love and spiced with a bit of mischief, began on 17 March, 1927 in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan; he graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1951, returned home to marry childhood sweetheart Noreen Dickinson, also of Mt. Pleasant, enjoyed a distinguished career as a U.S. Army officer, raised three children and eventually retired in Williamsburg, Virginia where, with Noreen, he became an integral and inspirational member of his community for thirty years, until 2013 when he moved to Ventura, California to be with his children. Dad loved music, helping neighbors, welcoming and cooking for guests, and puzzling with words. He had a life-long love of sports and played and excelled in many. He was the captain and quarterback of his undefeated (unscored against!) football team in high school. He played collegiate soccer (captain and All American at West Point), ice hockey, handball, and enjoyed tennis, skiing, biking, and, later in life, his daily neighborhood walk. His service in the Army began when he enlisted to assist in post World War II reconstruction. Soon afterwards he attended and graduated from West Point, which launched his service that covered twenty-five different assignments, three continents and continuous adventures. Highlights of his career included serving in Korea and Vietnam, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), and Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) in Bonn, Germany. He received numerous medals and commendations, including the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit (two oak leaf clusters), United Nations Service medal, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. He is predeceased by his parents Malcolm and Margaret Wardrop, his siblings Mac, Merrie (Winterrowd), Bobb, and Bill Wardrop, and his wife, Noreen (Dickinson) Wardrop. He is survived by his three children: daughter Daneen of Kalamazoo, Michigan; son Chuck and his wife Helen (Miller) of Ventura, California; and daughter Karen and her partner Janet (Peterson) of Bellingham, Washington; his twin sister Elvira Harrison of Port St Lucie, Florida; and many beloved nieces and nephews across the world. He loved and believed in his five grandchildren, Ben (and his wife, Myriam Quintanilla), Wes, Devan, Lian, and Keajn, and was thrilled that he had two great granddaughters, Nicoletta and Micaela. He is also survived by his second wife, Anne Avery of Gloucester Point, Virginia. In retirement, Dan served as president of the Queen's Lake Neighborhood Club, volunteered at the library, advised people on their taxes, coached little league baseball and basketball, taught and tutored math students, supported Child Development Resources, and was always ready to lend a hand to any neighbor in need. He has been so helpful and supportive to so many people. Dan cherished his family, guiding us with wisdom and love. It is hard to imagine life without him. He will be remembered best by his family as a truly remarkable father who said, "Look for the best in everyone you meet," and "Help each other." Dad fought hard to the last. In line with his courageous, tenacious, and realistic spirit, when faced with the inevitability of an outcome, he would have said at the end, as he did throughout his life, "So be it." Dan will be buried at Arlington Cemetery in Washington DC at a date yet to be determined (http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil). In lieu of flowers, Dan requested donations be made to the non-profit, public charity, Child Development Resources (www.childdevelopmentresources.org).