Major General Robert H.G. Waudby, USA (Ret.)

Major General Robert H.G. Waudby, USA (Ret.), died Saturday, July 29, 2023, in Birmingham surrounded by his family. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, he was born January 27, 1937, to the late Leroy and Justine Waudby. He graduated Towson High School in 1955 and embarked on a 42-year military career. He received his commission upon graduation from The Citadel in 1959 with a B.S. in Business Administration.

He served active duty with the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps in Springfield, MA, and Nellingen, Germany, before transitioning to the Army Reserve. He rose through the ranks and graduated Air War College in 1985 and U.S. Army War College in 1990. Among his many assignments, he had the distinct honor of serving as Commanding General of the 3rd Transportation Brigade of the 121st Army Reserve Command, Jackson, Mississippi, and the 377th Theater Army Area Command, New Orleans, Louisiana, when many of his 40,000 soldiers were activated during Operations Desert Shield and Storm. General Waudby’s decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Distinguished Service Medal awarded upon his retirement in 1997. In his civilian life, Bob worked 32 years in banking, graduated from the Banking School of the South in 1970, and retired as a Vice President of AmSouth Bank. He was a Director of Ramsey-McCormack Land Company, advisor to Holy Family High School in Ensley, and longtime member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Shades Valley Rotary Club, Country Club of Birmingham, and The Club.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Justina Cole and Marilyn Byrd, and brother Roy Waudby. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Anne Cothran Waudby of Birmingham, whom he held on a pedestal; sons Robert H.G. Waudby, Jr. (Gretchen), Thomas Cothran Waudby (Pam), and William Leroy Waudby (Betsy); his grandchildren who adored him, Ashley Waudby Goodwin (Chase), Kathleen Waudby Bolton (Tyler), Olivia Grace Samec (Joel), Robert H.G. Waudby, III, Hannah Guy Waudby, Nicole Broatch Waudby, and Thomas Cothran Waudby, Jr.; four great grandchildren; nieces Patricia Ann Ward, Ruth Byrd Ettinger (Charles) and Tina Crosby, and nephew Ross Long.

The family will accept visitors on Thursday, August 3, at 9:00 a.m. in Graham Hall at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church before a funeral service at 10:00 a.m. Burial with full military honors will follow at Elmwood Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Luke’s Foundation or Founders Place, 3736 Montrose Road, Mountain Brook, AL 35213, or The Citadel Foundation https://foundation.citadel.edu.

Services are under the direction of Ridout’s Valley Chapel in Homewood.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Waudby family.