Robert Watson Taft (1947-2009)

TAFT, FREDIN, BROSSEAU, TAFT, BROWN, HARRINGTON

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 1/31/2009 at 09:38:08

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, January 28, 2009.

Robert Watson Taft, 61, of Ames, died quietly in his sleep Monday, Jan. 5, 2009. A memorial will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at Adams Funeral Home in Ames, with burial at 9:30 a.m. Monday, March 2, in Veteran’s Cemetery in Van Meter.

Bob was born June 25, 1947, in Minneapolis, to Robert S. and Ann (Fredin) Taft. The family moved to Des Moines in 1958. He liked to play baseball, camp and hunt with his dad. He became an Eagle Scout in Troop 51 at age 14. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1965 after enlisting early in the U.S. Marines.

He trained in San Diego and soon was shipped to Vietnam, where he served two tours of duty near the DMZ with the 3rd Recon Battalion. He participated in such campaigns as Operations Hastings, Pawnee, Chinnook II and Crockett. He received several medals, including a Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant in 1968.

Soldiers were not welcomed home in those days like they are today, and he discovered how hard it was for him to leave his Marine brothers behind. In the early 1980s, he organized and led a support group of veterans who also suffered from “war stress.” Today, we know this as PTSD, but this was not a recognized illness until long after he had been home. He had to fight hard to get the VA to help him.

Over the years, he worked at a wide variety of jobs, from chauffer to restaurant owner. His favorite this last decade was as a self-proclaimed “Hermit Coach.” He also studied philosophy at Iowa State University, earning enough credits to graduate.

He had an unconventional sense of humor and was well-liked for his acerbic wit, generosity, distinctive hats and suspenders and his old-fashioned manners. For every person who spat on him or called him “baby killer,” he met many more who believed in him, appreciated his military service and tried to help him. The family would especially like to thank Jim Fowler, Bill Miller, JoAnn Franko-Borral and her son, Ananda Rozewski, Heidi Von Baruth, Kaylyn Walker, Steve Lindroth, Bob Uetz, his friends at Sporty’s Bar and Olde Main Brewery, and all the nurses and doctors at the VA who took such good care of him.

Family members left to celebrate his life are one son, Jamison Brosseau; brother and sisters, Dr. Art and Gigi Taft, Marion and David Brown, Barbara and Merrill Harrington, and Marty Taft; and his cherished nieces and nephews.

And so, after all the perimeter checks and sleepless nights, he has gone to be with his platoon and finally, hopefully, rest in peace.

Memorials may be made to the Boy Scouts or the U.S. Marine Corp’s Toys for Tots, the Ames Animal Shelter or the nearest Vets Center.

http://www.amestrib.com/
 

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