Robert L. Cosby Sr., 78, educator, coach and decorated career soldier, died suddenly Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2004. Mr. Cosby, born in Aliquippa, accumulated a number of firsts during his life. In his military career, he was one of the first integrated military honor guards, under Gen. Thomas D. Handy. He also served at the end of World War II as honor guard for the Nuremberg Trials, Germany. He was the first black first sergeant to serve in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division. Over his military career, he served as an educator in ROTC at Virginia State University and instructor at the Military Academy at West Point. He was a decorated veteran serving in three wars. In all, he was active in four military theatres, World War II Europe, Korea, Panama and Vietnam. Mr. Cosby had two tours of duty in Vietnam, where he saw combat as a Green Beret and Special Forces. Robert Cosby Sr., a lifelong teacher, served as a mentor and coach in several sports including football, track, basketball, wrestling and baseball. He is remembered by several generations of students from first through 12th grades at the Brunswick School in Greenwich, Conn. Prior to Brunswick, and at the end of his military career, he served as a part-time trainer for the Chicago Black Hawks NHL hockey team. After a brief foray in insurance and mutual funds, he returned to his first love, teaching. He had many accolades. He served as a scout for the New York Jets NFL-affiliated semi-pro team. He also taught and served as the assistant director for the Upward Bound Program at the Cherry Lawn School (now closed) in Darien, Conn. He believed that life carried inherent responsibilities. A graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago, Ill., and Boston College, he also studied at the University of Heidelberg, Germany. During his long careers in both the military and academia, he dedicated himself to molding human character and spirit, and striving for excellence, all while dismantling barriers, be they of poverty, privilege, racism or social stereotyping. Mr. Cosby leaves two daughters, Renata and Diana; two sons, Robert and Walter; two sisters, Edna and Lorraine; and a brother, Eugene; also grandchildren and numerous extended family. A reflection service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday at The Brunswick School, 100 Maher Ave., in the Burke Gymnasium. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. March 2 in Ascension Church, 630 Sligo Ave., Silver Spring, Md. Graveside service and burial with full military honors will take place March 3 at Arlington National Cemetery. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be sent to Brunswick School to establish the "Robert Cosby Scholarship Fund." Arrangements are being handled by the LEO P. GALLAGHER & SON FUNERAL HOME, 31 Arch St., Greenwich, Conn.

Published in Pittsburgh Tribune Review on Feb. 27, 2004

Robert L. Cosby Sr., 78, educator, coach and decorated career soldier, died suddenly Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2004. Mr. Cosby, born in Aliquippa, accumulated a number of firsts during his life. In his military career, he was one of the first integrated military honor guards, under Gen. Thomas D. Handy. He also served at the end of World War II as honor guard for the Nuremberg Trials, Germany. He was the first black first sergeant to serve in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division. Over his military career, he served as an educator in ROTC at Virginia State University and instructor at the Military Academy at West Point. He was a decorated veteran serving in three wars. In all, he was active in four military theatres, World War II Europe, Korea, Panama and Vietnam. Mr. Cosby had two tours of duty in Vietnam, where he saw combat as a Green Beret and Special Forces. Robert Cosby Sr., a lifelong teacher, served as a mentor and coach in several sports including football, track, basketball, wrestling and baseball. He is remembered by several generations of students from first through 12th grades at the Brunswick School in Greenwich, Conn. Prior to Brunswick, and at the end of his military career, he served as a part-time trainer for the Chicago Black Hawks NHL hockey team. After a brief foray in insurance and mutual funds, he returned to his first love, teaching. He had many accolades. He served as a scout for the New York Jets NFL-affiliated semi-pro team. He also taught and served as the assistant director for the Upward Bound Program at the Cherry Lawn School (now closed) in Darien, Conn. He believed that life carried inherent responsibilities. A graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago, Ill., and Boston College, he also studied at the University of Heidelberg, Germany. During his long careers in both the military and academia, he dedicated himself to molding human character and spirit, and striving for excellence, all while dismantling barriers, be they of poverty, privilege, racism or social stereotyping. Mr. Cosby leaves two daughters, Renata and Diana; two sons, Robert and Walter; two sisters, Edna and Lorraine; and a brother, Eugene; also grandchildren and numerous extended family. A reflection service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday at The Brunswick School, 100 Maher Ave., in the Burke Gymnasium. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. March 2 in Ascension Church, 630 Sligo Ave., Silver Spring, Md. Graveside service and burial with full military honors will take place March 3 at Arlington National Cemetery. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be sent to Brunswick School to establish the "Robert Cosby Scholarship Fund." Arrangements are being handled by the LEO P. GALLAGHER & SON FUNERAL HOME, 31 Arch St., Greenwich, Conn.

Published in Pittsburgh Tribune Review on Feb. 27, 2004