Lieutenant General Robert H. Forman

Lieutenant General (Retired), United States Army, Robert H. "Bob" Forman, age 84, departed the battlefield after a courageous fight on January 26, 2015, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center surrounded by a loving family.

Bob was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 17, 1930 to Henry T. and Dorothy Woods Forman. In 1951, upon completion of the Reserve Officer Training Corps curriculum and the educational course of study at Arizona State University, he was commissioned a second lieutenant Field Artillery and was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. In February 1952, he married the love of his life Hannah Jean Schooler of Sturgis, South Dakota, and together they had three wonderful children: Mona, Nancy, and Robert. General Forman served for over thirty-six years of dedicated and faithful service to his country culminating in rising to the rank of three star general. His military education included the Artillery Basic and Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, the United States Army War College, and the JFK School of Government at Harvard University. General Forman was a combat leader remembered for leading from the front and never asking his soldiers to do anything that he would not do himself. He was the recipient of numerous medals for service and heroism to include three awards of the Army Distinguished Service Medal, four awards of the Legion of Merit, the Army Soldiers Medal, and three awards of the Bronze Star Medal with valor. He served in the 11th Airborne Division, the 82nd Airborne Division, a tour in Korea, and two combat tours in Vietnam. During the course of his career, he was awarded the Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. His key assignments included Deputy Commanding General, United States Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth; Commanding General, United States Army Training Center and Fort Dix, New Jersey; and Chief of Staff, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, Virginia. Following retirement from the military, General Forman continued his commitment to the military as Vice President, Cubic Applications; and President, Region V, Association of the United States Army (AUSA). He was a tireless advocate for soldiers, and the Reserve Officer Training Corps programs at numerous Kansas and Missouri Colleges and Universities. He proudly served as the Senior Advisor, the Greater Kansas City Chapter AUSA; a member of Business Executives for National Security; and a founding Trustee of the Command and General Staff College Foundation. He was the recipient of the AUSA Creighton W. Abrams Medal and the Philip Pistelli Silver Veterans Award. Bob and Hannah are members of the Colonial Presbyterian Church. They are active in fellowship activities and adult bible study. Bob was a devout Christian and gave his life to the Lord. He was preceded in death by his parents, and grandson Specialist Christopher Hilton, United States Army. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Hannah Jean; sister Carol Ann (James) Grimm; daughters Mona Pestock and Nancy (Gene) Hilton Eastland; son Robert (Shelley); six grandchildren, and one great grandchild. One of the most important aspects and joys of Bob's life was his family. He was a caring and loving father and grandfather. His wisdom, guidance, wise counsel, and love of country will be missed by all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held at the Wornall Campus, Colonial Presbyterian Church, 9500 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri on Tuesday, February 3, 2015, at 10:00 am. General Forman will be laid to rest at the Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Road, Leavenworth, Kansas, that same day at 2:30 pm, with full military honors.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that a contribution be made to either the Colonial Presbyterian Church or the Wounded Warrior Program.