Robert Duncan “Bob” Allardice was born July 21, 1947 in Plainfield, NJ but grew up in Pittsburgh as the fifth of six children. He was an active and accomplished young man in school, scouting and sports, earning the rank of Eagle Scout and lettering in football, wrestling and track at North Allegheny High School. He held the school’s record for the discus for decades. His leadership skills as well as his athletic prowess made him a natural pick for team captain in football and track. While Bob had many choices when selecting a college (he kept all 30 invitation letters in his footlocker!), he selected West Point. After spending some time at Manlius Prep, he joined a unique band of brothers as a member of the Class of 1969.
Bob (aka “Dice,” “Hubba,” “El Grande Rojo”) was an instant celebrity. Classmates remember him fondly: “A big man with an even bigger personality,” “The happiest guy in the room,” “He never met a stranger,” “…a powerful, technicolor presence.” He made everything about team. From barracks hijinks, to summer training, and to athletics, he focused on team not himself. In many ways he was a gentle giant, a guy with an “all world” smile who gave crushing bear hugs and who was an extraordinary dancer. Bob was smart and excelled in advance Spanish, but he was challenged by other parts of the academic program. He never quit, displaying the same toughness that twice won him the Brigade Wrestling Championship. He was a beloved member of both Football and Track teams. Bob played several positions, including running back before settling in as a defensive tackle. He loved his teammates and was a ferocious competitor. In his senior football season, Bob sustained three concussions and a broken neck, injuries from which he appeared to recover, enough so that he graduated and was commissioned in the Quartermaster Corps. He was, however, not medically qualified for the combat arms. While at his first duty station, he was rear ended in an auto accident. The resulting injury, along with those sustained at West Point, led to his medical retirement from the Army in September 1970.
Bob regrouped and began a very successful business career in the transportation field. Friends were not surprised given his love for cars. One classmate recalls driving with Bob through the Rockies, with soul music and Billy Joel blaring, making stops at every dealership with German sports cars on display. From Chicago to Denver to Dallas and beyond, he had great working relationships with clients and was a natural salesman for all the right reasons. He met his wife, Elizabeth, on a business trip to Hawaii in 1991, and they were married there in 1993. Life was good. Elizabeth recalls that Bob was heavily involved in the lives of his two loving nieces, Stacey and Becky, and was adored by her daughter Kelly. He was very organized, kept diligent records, and remembered birthdays and other important events. He was always reaching out to friends reminiscing about old times or catching up. He was the guy who had his camera at the ready and took amazing candid photos of family and friends. Bob was also an avid golfer with a six handicap, playing weekly with his buddies. He made sets of irons for several of his golfing companions.
In 1996, the effects of the injuries that had taken away his dreams to serve his country began to manifest themselves more seriously. By his retirement in 2006, he was noticeably struggling, increasingly confused and losing his ability to communicate. His disease progressed quickly, systematically stripping him of his quality of life. With the loving care of Elizabeth, family and classmates, he battled courageously and made the decision to donate his brain for research. Bob passed away at the Durham VA Community Living Center on November 7, 2014.
Bob became the first known West Point graduate to be diagnosed with the concussion disease known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), confirmed by the research team at Boston University. Elizabeth has become a champion for Bob and for the study of this cruel disease; her advocacy magnified Bob’s selfless gift. She has been a participant at the Concussion Legacy Foundation Conference, as an Advisory Board Family Member of the Foundation. Elizabeth spoke at the conference to “put a face on the disease” for those in attendance. Bob’s brain donation places him at the forefront of research being done to develop safeguards to protect against brain injury, diagnose CTE in the living, and eventually find a cure for what is said to be a preventable neurodegenerative disease.
My husband was a man of tremendous courage who believed that everyone he met would be his friend, had an infectious laugh, and could dance like no other. He is bound together with West Point members of the Long Gray Line, and he lived Duty, Honor, Country every day I knew him. He lived his life with integrity. He was a fiercely loyal and honorable man who up until the day of his death, knew he could make a difference in the lives of others. The long and the short of it is this: My husband chose to pledge his brain to those researching concussions while he was still able to speak. A true legacy to all who knew and loved him.
— Elizabeth Allardice
Dice, I will never forget my favorite memory of you—the sight of you dancing with one of the waiters during a mess hall rally. You were really boogying, man. There was a circle of cadets around both of you cheering you on. Now you are dancing with the stars. Dance on, my friend, dance on.
— A Classmate