Air Force legend passes
away at 86

Brig. Gen.
Robert F. McDermott receives an inscribed cadet saber
from Cadet Wing Commander Jerrold Allen, April 28, 1966,
in recognition of his pioneering innovations in the
field of service academy education. (U.S. Air Force
photo)

8/29/2006 - U.S. AIR FORCE
ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) -- Retired Brig. Gen. Robert F.
McDermott, U.S. Air Force Academy dean of the faculty from 1956 to
1968, died Aug. 28 in San Antonio.

He suffered a stroke Aug.
17 and died at Brooke Army Medical Center. He was 86.

The
namesake of the academy's McDermott Library, he began his military
career as a combat pilot, operations officer and professional
educator in the European theater during World War II.

He was
appointed the academy's first dean of the faculty in 1956 by
President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He held that post for the
school's first 10 graduating classes. For his innovations at the
academy, many of which were adopted by its sister-service academies,
he was called the "father of modern military education."

Among General McDermott's groundbreaking ideas was the
"whole man" concept (known today as the "whole person" concept)
introduced in 1956, which factors moral and leadership attributes,
and physical and academic qualifications as selection criteria for
potential students. He also designed a curriculum enrichment program
to help cadets advance in their fields of aptitudes and
interests.

His efforts led to the accreditation of the
academy before its first class graduated in 1959, the establishment
of an astronautical research laboratory, and programs for
exceptional cadets to continue with graduate-level education.

General McDermott's decorations include the Bronze
Star, Air Medal with five oak-leaf clusters, European
Theater of Operations Ribbon with six battle
stars, Distinguished Service Medal and Legion of Merit.

After retirement, General McDermott went on to serve as
chairman and chief executive officer of USAA, an
insurance and diversified financial services company, for 25 years.
He was appointed chairman emeritus by USAA upon his retirement in
1993 and selected to the National Business Hall of Fame.

One
of San Antonio's premier civic leaders, a section of Interstate 10
is named for him, as well as a local elementary school.
He served as president of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce,
and as distinguished executive in residence at San Antonio's
University of the Incarnate Word.

Memorial service
arrangements have not been made. Condolences can be sent to Mrs.
Robert McDermott, University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway,
CPO 352; San Antonio, TX 78209.