Over 300 friends, family, and Bush School colleagues gathered on April 6 at Christ United Methodist Church in College Station to honor the life and service of former dean Richard A. (Dick) Chilcoat. He served as the Bush School’s first permanent dean from 2001 until 2008, and held the Edward and Howard Kruse Endowed Chair until December 2009.
Among those paying tribute to Dean Chilcoat was George Bush, 41st President of the United States, who was accompanied by his wife, Barbara. Ashley Chilcoat, his daughter; a life-long friend from West Point, Mel Case; his brother-in-law, Gil Rodgers; and Sam Kirkpatrick, Executive Associate Dean of the Bush School, also shared remarks. The Singing Cadets of Texas A&M provided music for the service, which was followed by a reception in the church annex. Dean Chilcoat’s wife, Dixie, and their children, Mike and Ashley, greeted guests at the reception, which included a number of active duty and retired military personnel.
A graduate of the U.S. Military, Academy Chilcoat served 42 years in the Army, retiring as a Lieutenant General in 2000. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on July 1.
