Col. Robert E. Short (U.S. Army Ret.)'s Obituary
Retired Army Colonel Robert E. Short 85, of Eustis, whose military career spanned more than 23 years, passed away on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Delores Jean Short. He was a war veteran of Korea, and Vietnam. Colonel Short was born in West Palm Beach, FL, July 2, 1931. He entered the Army as an enlisted man in 1952. Upon completion of Infantry basic training, he graduated from an extensive communications training program. After completing a combat tour in 1953, as communications advisor with the 23rd Regt., 3rd Infantry Division, Republic of Korea, he attended and completed training as a Russian language translator and counterintelligence specialist. He was commissioned in the Infantry in late 1957, and shortly thereafter re-commissioned in the Army Transportation Corps to attend flight school. Initial commissioned assignments included various Army aviation training centers where he learned to fly both fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
After flight training, Colonel Short was assigned as test pilot for aircraft maintenance operations, Fort Huachuca, AZ. Two years later, he was reassigned to the USARAL aviation battalion, HQ, US Army, Alaska. During this four-year tour, Colonel Short commanded an aircraft maintenance and supply unit, served as Battalion logistics officer and finished his tour of duty as the Battalion’s S2/3 Intelligence/Operations officer. He also attended the University of Alaska graduating in May 1965, with dual degrees in Industrial Management and Marketing.
Subsequent assignments included (1) senior instructor Management Training Branch, US Army Transportation School (USATSCH); (2) forming and commanding, in 1966, the first UH-1C mini-gun configured unit which, in January 1967, deployed with the 9th Infantry Division to South Vietnam; (3) Aviation Logistics Officer, 14th Transportation Bn, USARV; (4) Director, IT/Telecom training section USATSCH; (5) Exchange Officer, British Army, Royal Corps School of Transport, as Chief, Management Training Branch; (6) Commander, 56th Trans. AM&S, Long Thanh North, US Army Vietnam (USARV); (7) Director, Aviation Data Analysis Center, USARV; and finished his military career as Director, (Pacific Northwest) Information Technology & Telecommunications, Fort Lewis, WA.
During his military career, Colonel Short was awarded the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, three Bronze Stars, ten Air Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and Korean War Service Medal. His combat units were awarded the Presidential Citation (Republic of Korea), Valorous Unit Citation, 3 Meritorious Unit Citations, and Vietnamese Civil Action Honor Medal. He also received the Senior Army Aviator Badge. Colonel Short was a graduate of the University of Alaska, the London Business School, and Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He also graduated from the British Army’s Royal Corps of Transport Career Officer program. In addition to the foregoing, he received extensive training while serving in the Army in various disciplines related to information technology and telecommunications.
After completion of military service, Colonel Short was selected to direct the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense’s national implementation of large computer mainframe systems, an effort which included wide use of PCs, supported by terrestrial and satellite telecommunications.
In late 1986, Colonel Short was requested to accept a Senior Executive appointment as Director, Information Services, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Munich, Germany. His primary mission was to create high speed, digital based broadcast capabilities to counter Communist propaganda. The Berlin Wall fell in less than three years after Colonel Short provided the technology to stifle radio broadcasting propaganda coming from the Soviet sectors. He remained in this position until early 1995.
After his retirement to central Florida, Colonel Short became active in local community affairs providing significant planning guidance to the Lake County School System. He was an active member of Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Distinguished Flying Cross Association, American Legion, and Vietnam Helicopter Pilots’ Association (VHPA). He was a Christian
Survivors, besides his wife, include one daughter, Carolyn Peterson of Mount Dora, one son, Charles Short (Kara) Short of Rumson, NJ. and six grandchildren. Funeral services will be held in Arlington National Cemetery with Full Military Honors. The date and time of the services will be added to this site when available.
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