Robert W. Madden, COL USA (Ret)

Robert W. Madden, COL USA (Ret)

July 19, 1956 – November 15, 2020

Age 64

Preceded in death by parents William and Charlotte Madden.

Survived by wife Barbara; sons David Madden (Cami), Joseph Madden (Julie) and their mother Cynthia Madden; daughter Julia Mathemeier; grandchildren Charlotte, Grace, Conor, Landry and Aiden; sisters Elaine Gaiolini (Jay) and Kathy “Byrd” Maldonado (Tony).

Due to CDC guidelines, a Private Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 4th at 10:00 a.m., at Thanksgiving Church.

To view video of the service, click the link below:

https://boxcast.tv/view/rob-madden-celebration-of-life-lwv176cycxwppwgtwwp9

Inurnment: Omaha National Cemetery

Military Honors by US Army National Guard and American Legion Post 331.

Memorials suggested to the West Point Society of Nebraska and Western Iowa. Checks, memo IHO Rob Madden ’78, should be sent to: West Point Society of Nebraska & Western Iowa, c/o Vince Lindenmeyer, ’91, 10152 Olive Street, La Vista, NE  68128. Electronic donations, Allocation IHO Rob Madden ’78, may be given at the link:

 

33 Comments

  • Patty Longcrier Posted November 16, 2020 10:30 pm

    Barbara you have my deepest condolences on the loss of your husband. Praying for you and the family.

    • Barbara Madden Posted November 17, 2020 5:14 pm

      Thank you so much, Patty. It is so nice to see your kind words.

  • Jose Chavez Posted November 17, 2020 9:38 am

    Joe, my deepest condolences to you and your family. May God give you peace and strength during this time.

  • Mike Buchman Posted November 17, 2020 2:39 pm

    For Rob’s family I want you to know how much I admired Rob. It never ceased to amaze me how he could get that silly grin on his face like he was a teenager getting away with something or laughing at something he knew was wrong. Rob’s friendship and mentorship will long be remembered by many more than just me. My heart goes out to you all and a tear comes to my eye when I think about the friend I have lost. He will be missed by multitudes of friends and co-workers. He touched more lives than he ever knew.

    • Barbara Madden Posted November 17, 2020 5:17 pm

      Thank you, Buch. He really admired you all as well. I know exactly what you mean about that silly grin. He used it a lot to stay out of trouble or avoid doing dishes 🙂 We really enjoyed all of our time with you at the theater.

    • Roy Gertig Posted November 21, 2020 11:17 am

      Mike, a colleague of mine, said it well. I just found out about Mr. Madden’s passing and am sorry for your loss. I enjoyed working for him on that contractor side and we had many personal health discussions that helped me get along.. RIP Col.

  • Cathy Brown Posted November 17, 2020 6:48 pm

    I was privileged to know Rob as a COL, President of the West Point Society, and leader of the New Building team. He showed me how to be a better officer and showed up younger Navy grads doing push ups at Army Navy Game. He will be missed.

  • Donald Wogaman Posted November 17, 2020 8:53 pm

    Rob was a great friend and truly professional colleague.

  • Colonel (retired) David Gosselin Posted November 18, 2020 12:58 pm

    Dear Barbara,
    As Canada’s first liaison officer to STRATCOM, Robert was forever gracious and welcoming to myself and the other foreign officers. He treated us with utmost respect and believed in true partnerships with allies. He was quick to smile and readily available for a scotch n’ beer.

    My deepest condolences to you and your family,
    Sincerely, David

  • Paul Burke Posted November 18, 2020 2:36 pm

    Barbara and family, so sorry to hear about your sad loss. All of us in the international team (2010-13) were blessed to have Rob as a friend and colleague in USSTRATCOM and he will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Paul Burke (Commodore Royal Navy – Retired)

  • Mike Cardoza Posted November 18, 2020 2:55 pm

    So sorry to hear about Rob. Unfortunately I only had the chance to work with him for a short time, but I know he’ll be missed by many. I’m a neighbor, so if you need anything please let us know.

  • Mike Cardoza Posted November 18, 2020 2:59 pm

    Our deepest condolences. I only had the chance to work with Rob for a short time but know he will be greatly missed by many. We are neighbors, so if you need anything please let us know.

  • Jim Moon Posted November 18, 2020 4:53 pm

    Robbie and I were best friends in elementary school in Asmara, Eritrea. We parted ways when our Dads got reassigned and met up again on the first day we were allowed to call home as new cadets (both of us would say we were not crying after talking to our parents – our secret). We recognized each other immediately and hung out together for the next four years. He ‘saved me’ right after graduation when he invited me to go home with him (long story, but that God he did this). He was a true friend and will be missed by many. Great friend, cadet, soldier and human being. Sorry we didn’t meet up again to swap stories. Rest In Peace my friend and God Bless you and your family.

  • Jenica Pauletto Posted November 18, 2020 5:11 pm

    Barb I am so saddened and sorry for your loss. Rob will be greatly missed by all who met him. Truly one in a million!

  • Kevin and Kathy Campbell Posted November 19, 2020 8:12 am

    Dear Barbara and Family: We extend our deepest sympathy to all of you and pray you can reflect on the joy Rob brought into many peoples’ lives throughout his lifetime. Kathy and I were touched by Rob during our years with him (2003-2005) at STRATCOM. Rob brought joy into our lives in so many ways……..through his faith, dedication to family, and dedication to his country. He was so genuine through and through and a person you just loved the instant you met him. Rob was demonstrably one of the good men God placed amongst us. Along with you, we miss him dearly. With love, Kevin and Kathy

  • Rick Evans Posted November 19, 2020 8:38 am

    Barbara & Family: So sorry to hear about Rob’s passing. He was great friend and mentor to so many, including myself. He will be greatly missed. Please accept my sincere condolences and prayers on your loss.

  • Butch Kirkland Posted November 19, 2020 9:01 am

    Rob was a great man, and true American. Working for and with him was a privilege. Please accept my deepest concolences. He will be sorely missed by many. Butch Kirkland

  • Terry L Wilson Posted November 19, 2020 4:28 pm

    You have my deepest sympathies. I was in crosstrek with Rob. I have the deepest respect for him as a leader of crosstrek and his 28 years of service to our country. He is dearly missed and always will be. Take care knowing he is with the Lord and no longer suffers.

  • Paula Burton Posted November 19, 2020 8:00 pm

    Joe,
    So sorry for the loss of you dad. May many happy memories serve as a source of comfort. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless!
    Mike & Paula. Burton

  • Nate Arnold Posted November 20, 2020 5:09 am

    I was deeply shocked when I learned of Rob’s passing. I always admired and looked up to Rob as a great leader and mentor. I remember my first invite to Triple S night on the old tree deck and how down to earth and welcoming Rob made me feel. I’m so very sorry did your family’s loss. He was a great man and will be sorely missed.

  • C. A. Norton Posted November 20, 2020 8:35 am

    Barbara, David and Joe (and family):
    Linda and I will keep you and your family in our prayers. As you already know Rob was an incredible person: kind, thoughtful and giving. He was always willing to do the “right thing” no matter how hard and always willing to help out when asked. It was an honor and privilege to have worked so closely with him for the last 10 years. He will be missed by all.

  • RDML Ronald Fritzemeier Posted November 21, 2020 9:47 am

    Barbara and family, my heart goes out to you in this time of sorrow. I am praying for you, for comforting and peace even in the grief, knowing Rob loved you and His Lord. I so appreciated working with Rob, for his optimism on basically everything… as someone noted, Rob had that Cheshire Cat grin. I spoke to him two days before he passed, and Rob expressed hope – in his Lord! He encouraged me! I’m so thankful for having known Rob!

  • Steve Joekel Posted November 21, 2020 10:41 pm

    Dave & Cami, Joe & Julie, Barbara and Rob’s Family,
    I am so saddened to learn of Rob’s death, I was unaware of his recent illness. My deepest condolences and prayers to you all. I will always remember with a laugh our “ Dads and Lads” excursions to KC and Royals games that he organized, those were good fun and memories! I also recall the first outing we did with other guys from Thanksgiving Church to a Creighton Basketball game at QWest center, our seats were at the very top row of the arena. I seem to recall he had some joke about it being fitting that some wise guys like us with a church group were up close to God. Rob was a great friend to everyone he came into contact with, I was blessed to be one of those people, and I know I’m among numerous others to feel that and know how much he will be missed. God be with you as I know He is with Rob.

  • Harold Haney Posted November 23, 2020 7:33 am

    Barb, I am so saddened by Rob’s passing. In fact, I was shocked. Rob and I came up through USSSTRATCOM together for many years, and Rob developed some long lasting changes still prevalent at Offutt AFB today. You have my heart felt condolences. I am so thankful to have had Rob as a colleague and friend.

  • Michael Pasquarett Posted November 27, 2020 10:17 pm

    As I sit here in Carlisle, PA tonight I am in shock about Rob’s passing from this world. Almost thirty years ago he was an awesome Pershing Battery Commander who I admired greatly and wished that when I was a Battery Commander I could have performed my duties like Rob. Over twenty years ago Rob was a student at the Army War College whose brilliance I enjoyed in the classroom. I will take it on as my mission to inform those we both knew in the Pershing Missile community of his passing. Thank you to Vince for keeping me in the loop.

  • Tom Gregory Posted November 28, 2020 6:10 am

    Rob was simply the kindest most genuine person I know. He really did see the good in everyone and was always somebody I would seek out during a bad week just knowing talking to him would improve morale. To all the Madden’s thanks for sharing Rob with all of us! God Bless all of you!

  • Richard Lerner Posted December 1, 2020 2:36 pm

    Got to know Rob when he retired from the Army. Such a fine outstanding individual, he represented the best of the best. Shelly and I got to know Rob quite well and will miss the many conversations we had. He always had a great outlook and never a bad word. We are grateful to know Rob and his family. May Rob always be for a blessing to all who knew him. He will be missed. Dick Lerner

  • Joe Gershon Posted December 1, 2020 4:39 pm

    So very saddened by Rob’s passing. He was a pleasure to work for and a caring leader who understood team work and taking care of his troops. I am a better human being for knowing Rob and he was an inspiration as a boss.
    Condolences and prayers to Rob’s family and many friends. Fair winds and following seas Colonel Madden.

  • COL(R) Bill Hamilton Posted December 3, 2020 9:20 am

    Rob was a good man, a good Soldier and a good friend. Although he and I are West Point Classmates, Lisa and I really got to know him and the Family very well during our 2 years together in school at Fort Leavenworth, KS. Really got to know and work very closely with Rob during our year together in the same Seminar at the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS). Rob was one of the finest Warfighters who ever served in our Army. He could poke fun and laugh with the best of them, but was always serious as can be when it came to Soldiering – especially with his “Red Leg” Artillerymen. If Rob Madden was your friend you know you had a friend who had your back. To all the Madden Family know that the warmth Rob’s memory will last a lifetime. Rob – You’re “on target with good effect” my friend – Be Thou at Peace.

  • Elizabeth and Craig Diffie Posted December 4, 2020 10:03 am

    Barb and Robbie’s loved ones. We send our sincere condolences to you all. Robbie was a dear kind person -a loyal patriotic and friend.
    and admired by many for his integrity and warm, caring manner.
    You all are in our thoughts and prayers .
    Warmly,
    Libby and Craig Diffie

  • The Nicholson Family Posted December 9, 2020 7:35 pm

    Rob and his family are in our prayers. In my feeble attempt to summarize my memories of Rob; there was no one who worked harder at herculean tasks, with constant critique, and never stopped until he succeeded at the mission before him. He is a true National hero. I am grateful to have served with him. Go in peace, my friend.

  • Gene Reynolds Posted June 1, 2021 10:41 am

    Dear Barbara, Son’s: David, Joseph (Bible names), Daughter, Julie and sisters: Elaine and Katy and all the family. I was thinking about Col Madden and just looked him up on line today. I was saddened to hear of his passing. I agree with all the comments above. I served as his Department of the Army, Safety and Occupational Health Manager for the Area 1 Support Activity, at Camp Red Cloud Korea, Uijonbu, Korea, 2000-2002. On behalf or the Soldiers in Korea, Department of the Army Civilians and Korean Nationals we are all saddened by your loss and our heart felt condolences to all of you. Col Madden treated everyone with respect and he was one of the most highly respected Commander’s in Korea. “May God Continue to Bless and Keep You” – Also for Command Sergeant Major (retired) and civilian safety specialist for 501st, Retired.

  • Judy and John Wiseman Posted August 7, 2021 11:05 am

    John and I just heard the news about Rob’s passing, and are stunned and saddened by the news. We were stationed with Rob three different times, and although we had lost touch over the past years, counted him as a dear friend, and always hoped there would be a “next time.” Our hearts and prayers are with you all. The world just lost a very bright light.

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