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Claude Belmont Donovan
No. 21900
Died
in Ouray, CO
Inurned in Cedar Hill Cemetery
Ouray County, CO |
| | Betty
Donovan at
425 8th Avenue
Ouray, CO 81427 | Born
in Texas, Claude Belmont "Pat" Donovan III spent his early years in
Tulsa, OK. When Pat was eleven, his father died, and he and his mother settled
in Raton, NM. Perhaps because he was an only child, he always had a fierce sense
of loyalty to those with whom he had close ties. Throughout his life, he kept
in contact with many high school friends, his companymates, and those with whom
he worked. As a cadet, a bout with the French Department
positioned him in the lower echelons of his class. Determined to move up, he eventually
graduated in the upper third and embarked on his military career in the Infantry.
The day after graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty, in the
Cadet Chapel. He and Betty embarked on their new life with wonderful enthusiasm,
determined to enjoy this new adventure together. They always marveled at how lucky
they had been in choosing the Army life! Children,
interesting assignments, schools, and challenges seemed to follow in remarkable
order. In 1962, Pat transferred to the Ordnance Corps to take advantage of his
new skills and interests in engineering. A perfect match resulted. He was very
satisfied with the rewarding opportunities that followed, including a three-year
tour with the Ordnance Department at USMA after obtaining a master's degree in
mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama. He also completed a course
at the Royal Military College of Science in Shrivenham, England and the Industrial
College of the Armed Forces at Ft. McNair.
Pat's heart was always with
his beloved soldiers. He took pride in his troop leadership assignments with four
divisions. He maintained that his most satisfying assignment was commanding the
1st Armored Division Maintenance Battalion in Fuerth, Germany; the most fun was
commanding Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, TX; and the most important, most
difficult, and most frustrating was as program manager for the Bradley Fighting
Vehicle program based at the Army Tank Automotive Command in Warren, MI. Successfully
completing the last assignment resulted in an extension there, serving as program
executive officer for all light combat vehicles. His final assignment was as deputy
chief of staff for Research, Development, and Acquisition at the Army Materiel
Command in Alexandria, VA. Appreciative of the mentors
who nurtured him throughout his career, Pat always encouraged others. One fellow
worker described his "integrity, enthusiasm, and tough standards, balanced
by unwavering purpose and joy in accomplishment" as very contagious and much
appreciated. Pat was sensible and thoughtful. He was skilled at analyzing a problem,
identifying what was important, and coming up with the best solution..
The Donovans were blessed with four children: Mike (Class of '81), Kevin, David,
and Katie. In addition to Pat's pride in their professional accomplishments, he
was especially gratified by their devotion to their families and the values he
had installed in them. "Duty, Honor, Country" was a part of his core.
In 1987, after many moves and many adventures, Pat and Betty decided to leap
off the fast lane and settle in Ouray, CO, a town of about 700 people situated
at 7800 feet above sea level in the beautiful San Juan Mountains of southwest
Colorado. For 15 years, they enjoyed Colorado's blue skies and Ouray's beauty
and serenity. They spent their time hiking and riding jeeps in the old mining
trails in the high country and contributing to the small town community. Pat was
elected mayor of Ouray twice, and his varied interests and the management skills
he had acquired in the Army led to improvements in infrastructure, the development
of a forward-looking Ouray Community Plan, and the creation of a unique human
connection between government and the citizenry. These same skills and his interest
in historic preservation served him well as president of the Ouray County Historical
Society. He tried everything from scooping ice cream and conducting llama treks
to driving the ambulance and serving as a tour guide, thoroughly enjoying his
retirement! Pat remained proudly dedicated to the Army. He worked with the West
Point Admissions Office, helped evaluate candidates for congressional appointments,
and spoke at local patriotic events. Throughout his
life, Pat loved working with wood. As a cadet, he had spent hours in the wood
shop at West Point, and he became a careful and competent craftsman. His interests
eventually expanded to soffits and fascia boards, and he carefully restored his
Victorian home in Ouray. He then designed and built a second house on the property.
In all endeavors, he immersed himself in acquiring knowledge about any subject
new to him. In 2002, shortly before his death from
a brain tumor, Pat said, "I am so blessed! I have done it all, been given
it all, and have served. I have no complaints! I am content." Pat is at peace,
and his spirit--his kindness, his wisdom, and his strong presence on this earth--lives
on. Pat Donovan's life represented the best of the Long Gray Line. |
