StarBulletin.com

Weyand was gifted, kind, Shinseki says


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POSTED: Saturday, February 13, 2010

Retired Army Chief of Staff Eric “;Ric”; Shinseki said colleague Fred Weyand was “;gifted and kind, had a heart bigger than his 6-foot-5-inch frame.”;

Weyand, who made Hawaii his home after he retired as the 27th Army chief of staff in 1976 ending 38 years of service, died Wednesday at his Waialae home. He was 93.

Shinseki told the Star-Bulletin that Weyand, who served as the top uniformed leader of the Army from 1974-1976, “;loved the U.S. Army and its soldiers, and was exceedingly loyal to his friends.”;

; Kauai-born Shinseki, who held the same Army leadership role 25 years later from 1999-2003, added: “;In all the time I knew him, I never heard an unkind word about anyone he knew. Beyond that, his personal military history would tell you he was something of a Victor Henry character in (the novel) 'The Winds of War'—larger than life and who had experienced so much more than others. Throughout it all, he remained truly selfless and humble.

“;He and Mary loved everyone, especially local folks in Hawaii, and lived life to the fullest,”; said Shinseki, who served under Weyand in Vietnam in the 25th Infantry Division as a first lieutenant. “;He will be greatly missed.”;

Besides wife Mary, survivors include children Carolyn Harley and Robert and Nancy Hart; and four stepchildren: Whitney White and Laurie, Dow and Bill Foster.

A funeral service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Feb. 26 at Central Union Church. Interment will take place the following day at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.