Col. Robert "Bob" Hallmark, (Ret.)

Robert “Bob” Charles Hallmark, 79, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on March 16, 2014. Bob was deeply devoted in his Christian faith and represented all that is good, pure and noble. He filled his life with unwavering dedication to his country and was admired by all who knew him as “an officer and a gentleman.”

Born on July 12, 1934 in Lampasas, Texas, Bob grew up in Austin, attended LSU on a basketball scholarship, graduated from the University of Nebraska, and received a Masters Degree in Political Science from Rutgers University. He served in the United States Army with unwavering dedication to his country for over 22 years as a Combat Infantry Officer, Army Ranger, Master Aviator and an aide to three generals. He received numerous commendations for valor and meritorious service, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. Additionally, he earned commendations from the General Chief of Staff of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces. Bob was extremely proud to be given the assignment as a Commander in the 3rd Infantry “Old Guard,” the Army’s elite ceremonial unit in the Nation’s Capital that handles Presidential ceremonies, guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and conducting funerals in Arlington National Cemetery. In the late 1990’s, Bob was inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame. At his retirement ceremony in 1975, Colonel Hallmark received the following commendation from Major General Robert G. Yerks, USA, Commanding, “. . . it is my privilege, on behalf of a proud United States Army and a very grateful people, to say ‘thank you.”

Bob lived in Sun City, Georgetown, Texas for the past 15 years with his wife Barbara Hallmark where he faithfully served his church and community. He helped acquire property and build homes for Habitat for Humanity and served on the Board of Directors for Georgetown’s Palace Theatre.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Mary Alice Hallmark and son-in-law, Ben Beavers. He is survived by his wife Barbara; sister Kay McHaney; children; Donna Beavers, Ronda and husband Gary Adamson, Robert Hallmark, Jr., Jennifer and husband Cade Rhudy; 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock until seven o’clock in the evening on Thursday, the 20th of March, 2014 at Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home in Georgetown. A memorial service will be held at The Worship Place at eleven o'clock in the morning on Saturday, the 29th of March. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to The Worship Place Building Fund, 811 Sun City Boulevard, Georgetown, Texas, 78633.

Arrangements under the direction of Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, TX, 512-863-2564.