Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Rozman

Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Rozman, U.S. Army retired, departed this life on Saturday, April 5, 2008. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts on April 1, 1920, he was the son of William (Wladislaw) Rozman (Rozmyslowicz) and Stephania Rozman nee Mielnicki. A few years later his family moved to Wilson, Connecticut where he lived until mobilization for World War II service. He resided in Hartford, Connecticut for a brief time after World War II, and was a resident of Manchester, Connecticut on retirement from the Army in 1965 until relocating to Pennsylvania in 1987.

Colonel Rozman’s career of distinguished public service began after graduation from high school with enrollment in the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1939 followed by enlistment in the Connecticut National Guard in October 1939. He entered active federal service in February 1941 as a member of Company F, 169^th Infantry Regiment. Based at Camp Blanding, Florida and later Camp Shelby, Mississippi, he participated in the Louisiana and Carolina Maneuvers, and in the South Pacific Theater, the Banika Island (Solomon Islands), New Georgia, Arundel Island, New Guinea, and Luzon amphibious assault landings. He was wounded four times and rose to rifle company first sergeant before receiving a direct commission to second lieutenant north of Manila in May 1945. Colonel Rozman’s subsequent military career took him to assignments with the 3^rd, 9^th, 26^th, and 43^rd, Infantry Divisions, 3^rd Armored Division, U.S. Army Armor School, The Army of the Republic of South Viet Nam’s Infantry School, and U.S. Army Europe Headquarters at locations in Virginia, Germany, Kentucky, Viet Nam, Georgia, Massachusetts, and Germany again. His last posting was as Commander, 112^th Service Center Headquarters, Pulaski Barracks, Vogelweh, Germany. He retired from the Army in December 1965 after 26 years of military service. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Bronze Star Medal, four Purple Heart Medals, the Good Conduct Medal as well as the American Defense, American Campaign, Asiatic and Pacific Theater with arrowhead and four stars, World War II Victory, Occupation (Germany), American Defense, Reserve Service, Philippine Liberation, Philippine Independence Medals and the Army Presidential Unit Citation and the Philippine President Unit Citation for this service. He then pursued a career in partnership with his younger brother, Richard “Pappy” Rozman operating a successful subcontracting business in Connecticut until his final retirement in 1980. He and his wife subsequently relocated to Lititz, Pennsylvania in 1987 to live near his daughter and her family.

Colonel Rozman is survived by his wife of 62 years and the love of his life from their first meeting in 1938, Candide Giselle Boucher Rozman, his son, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Tom Rozman and wife Joy of Williamsburg, Virginia; son, Major (retired) Robert L. “Rick” Rozman and wife Lynda of Marshall, Virginia; and his daughter, Elaine Alexander and her husband, Dr. Alan Alexander, of East Petersburg, Pennsylvania; his nine grandchildren: Doug, Bryan and wife Maria; Michael; Matthew and wife Kathy, Melissa (Hogan); and Todd and wife Yvonne Rozman; and Bradley, Matthew and Tom Alexander; and his three great grandchildren: Raquel, Emma and Karl Rozman. He is also survived by five of his six brothers: George, Carl, Walter, Richard and Earl; and two of his five sisters: Helen and Elizabeth and their families. One brother, Henry, and three sisters, Marian, Wendy and Lucille, preceded him in death. Grandchildren Bryan Rozman, Captain U.S. Army National Guard, and Melissa Hogan, ex-Captain, U.S. Air Force, have continued his tradition of military service to the nation.

Brave but modest soldier, successful businessman, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and best friend, you were the example we followed. We could not have done better. Through tough times and good times you caused our memories to be special. In every possible way you made a secure world for us to be a family in. You taught us what duty, honor, country, and family are about. You showed us how to live with dignity and courage even in the face of great pain and adversity. You were a great and good man in the most important ways.  Till we meet again, God bless you, Dad.

Colonel Rozman will be interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions in his name may be sent to Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Boxes 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Chapel, 3110 Lititz Pike Lititz PA in charge of arrangements – 717-560-5100.