Robert Emmett Farmer

Colonel Farmer was born on October 1, 1938 in New York City. He was the fourth son of Irish immigrants, John and Bridget Farmer, and had two younger sisters. Colonel Farmer graduated from The City College of New York with a BBA and an Army ROTC commission in the infantry. After his early infantry training, Colonel Farmer was selected to attend Counter Insurgency and Psychological Operations courses at Ft. Bragg, NC, followed by a year's study of Mandarin Chinese at the Defense Language Institute at the Presidio in Monterey, California. Following duty with the 7th Psychological Operations Group in Okinawa and Taiwan, he volunteered for service in Vietnam and after Airborne and Ranger training at Ft. Benning, GA was assigned to the Studies and Observations Group, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (US MACVSOG). Following his tour with SOG, he returned to the US for the Infantry Advanced Course at Ft. Benning then returned to Vietnam for his second tour with the 25th Infantry Division. Returning to the US he was assigned to the Engineer Center at Ft. Belvoir, VA where he met his future wife, Gail. After Command of Ft. Belvoir’s Personnel Control Facility (PCF), he was selected for Graduate Studies at American University, where he earned an MA in International Studies. He then entered the Army’s Foreign Area Officers (FAO) Program as a China Specialist and was assigned to the China Branch, Defense intelligence Agency (DIA). Following his tour with DIA, Colonel Farmer was selected for study at the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA with a follow-on assignment to the US Army Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS as an instructor/author. Next after assignment on the Army Staff and promotion to Colonel, he was assigned to the US Embassy in Accra, Ghana as Defense and Army Attaché (DATT). After two interesting years in Ghana, where he and his wife Gail played an important role in improving US – Ghanaian relations, he was assigned to the Pacific Command in Hawaii and later back to Washington where he was selected to become Chief of China Branch, DIA. He retired from the Army in August 1989.

Over his 28+ years of service, Colonel Farmer received numerous awards and decorations including two Defense Superior Service Medals, four Bronze Star Medals (one with “V” device), four Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, an Air Medal, a Combat Infantryman's Badge, Ranger Tab and Parachute Badge.

After Army retirement, Bob started his second career with Strayer College. Starting as an Admissions Officer, he was promoted to Campus Coordinator and when Strayer went public, was selected as its first Director of Human Resources. Later, in anticipation of an outside management change and the illness of the CEO, Bob was asked to assume corporate leadership and appointed Director of Operations. Upon the successful change in management, Bob was asked by the new management team to stay on and promoted to Vice President in Charge of Administration, Human Resources, and Training. After 15 years with Strayer, Bob retired in January 2005.

In his retirement, Bob took great joy in his wonderful family, especially his seven grandchildren. Bob was a low key, kind and easy going guy who loved his family and his country. He believed in working hard, doing the right thing and always doing his best. He was extremely proud of being an Army officer.

Bob passed away on December 7, 2021.

He was preceded in Death by his beloved wife Gail, who he believed through her outgoing personality and loving support, was greatly responsible for much of his success. Bob is survived by his two sons, Sean (wife Carrie), Brian (wife Jenny), his brothers John and Mike, his sisters Sheila and Theresa, and his seven grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at St. Raymond of Penafort Catholic Church at 8750 Pohick Rd, Springfield, VA 22153 on December 20, 2021 at 11:00 am with interment at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. The family will receive visitors at the Demaine Funeral Home at 5308 Backlick Road

Springfield, VA 22151 on Sunday, December 19, 2021 at 2:00 pm.