Robert George Fergusson, known by his friends as "Bob," has been laid to rest at West Point near his beloved son Robert C.L. Fergusson, a highly decorated casualty of the Viet Nam War.
Bob was known and loved by all who met him, a quality that was demonstrated throughout his long and distinguished career. An illustration of his earliest success at diplomacy occurred during his senior year, when he appeared as a player and an extra in Hollywood’s highly acclaimed movie Flirtation Walk.
After graduation, Bob and Westy Westmoreland, who had arrived together, left West Point together. Bob headed for his first duty with the 11 th Cavalry at the historic Presidio of Monterey in California. There he met Charlotte, the daughter of COL and Mrs. Charles Gest Lawrence of Carmel. They soon were married at the famous Carmel Mission founded in 1771 by Father Junipero Serra. It was a military wedding with classmates and friends as ushers and six of Charlotte’s friends as bridesmaids in November 1937.
Bob’s personality was again revealed when he became the aide to GEN Henry T. Burgin at Ft. Scoff in San Francisco. Soon, they moved to Ft. DeRussy, HI, where they lived next door to GEN Burgin, commanding general of all the Hawaiian seacoast and anti-aircraft artillery. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor 7 Dec 1941, Charlotte went on duty with the Red Cross Motor Corps. Later, she returned to Carmel for the duration of WWII. Bob left for duty with the 7th Division the night their son Bobby was born. He did not see his wife and child again for three years.
In 1952, he attended the Army War College and soon was back in Hawaii to command the 14th Infantry Regiment at Schofield Barracks. In 1957, he was appointed the Army assistant to the Naval War College president in Newport, RI. In 1961, Bob was promoted to brigadier general and sent to Augsburg, Germany, to the 24th Infantry Division as assistant division commander. After one year, he went to Heidelberg as commander of the Central Army Group (NATO). He then was sent to the Presidio of Monterey to command the 7th Infantry Division as a major general.
During 1967-70, the Fergussons lived in Berlin, where they experienced one of their most exciting military assignments. It also was an assignment filled with tragedy when they received the agonizing news of their 24-year-old son’s mortal combat wounds in Viet Nam. To Bob’s everlasting credit, he literally dropped everything and flew to Viet Nam to be with his son. Bobby died en route to Washington, DC, where his mother waited at Walter Reed Hospital. After three incredible years in Berlin, the Fergussons returned to California and retired.
In 1970, Bob became corporate group vice president of Dart Industries, headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. In 1979, they returned to Pebble Beach, where they lived until Bob’s death.
To return to the beginning: Bob’s whole career might best be described as "ambassador," "public relations," "best friend," "concern for neighbors." Certain evidence could easily be verified if one cited the many organizations, military and foreign, to which he belonged. Additionally, he was a close friend and confidant to many eminent and distinguished Americans from presidents to high-ranking military leaders.
His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart.
He was a loving husband, father, and friend.
Philip Gage ’36, a very great admirer and friend