Robert David Sullivan

Lt Colonel retired US Army Robert David Dago Sullivan died peacefully at his home on Everett Street, Middletown. He had been diagnosed with Dementia since suffering a stroke in the late 1980s. Since the death of his wife in 2006, his condition steadily worsened. A special thanks to Jamestown Healthcare for their daily attendance, support and compassionate care given to our father throughout his final years. We cannot thank you enough. Born 13 June 1929 in the old Fifth Ward, Newport, he was the son of the late Harry F Sullivan and Margarethe Hedenschan Sullivan. He was brother to the late Joseph Sullivan, James Sullivan, Margarethe Sullivan Prisbylla and Anna Sullivan Ross. He is survived by his younger brother Henry Hiyi Sullivan of San Antonio, Texas. Graduating Rogers High School Class of 1947 and attending University of Rhode Island, he graduated in 1954 with Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering. Robert joined the US Army as a 2nd Lt and married Stephanie Carlson of Newport. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary 2004 with their four children. Robert earned a Masters Degree in Nuclear Physics at the Naval Postgraduate School in 1962 with a thesis on Short-lived Radionuclides Activated in Experimental Nuclear Reactor. His major expertise was construction, engineering and maintenance with secondary in nuclear weapons and reactors. His major military positions during his long military career were CONUS Overseas Engineer Troop Commander and Facilities Engineer at Ft. Belvoir, VA, Dugway Proving Ground, Utah and Johnston Atoll AFB, South Pacific. He was Joint Chiefs of Staff Action Officer for the Defense Intelligence Agency. He was instructor of engineering at Ft Belvoir US Army Engineering School, a member of the teaching facility at the Naval War College, and a Professor of Military Science at Northeastern University. He authored many technical operation manuals for the military prior to his retirement from the Army. During the Vietnam Era, he was Chief Resident Engineer, Fourth Corps Tactical Zone, Vietnam. Upon retirement, he was employed as Deputy Base Civil Engineer at Incerlik, Turkey. In 1980, he was Health Physicist and Nuclear Reactor Operator for Nuclear Science Center at Narragansett, RI.His decorations from the military included the Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross for Gallantry and the Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal. He was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He leaves a sister-in-law, Dr. Julie McAlpine and her husband Walter of Middletown, RI; and four children: Laurie Sullivan Bissett and her husband Ronald of Florida and Marthas Vineyard, Thela Sullivan Huffman and her husband Paul of California, Robert Sullivan and his wife Anna of Florida, and William Sullivan of Middletown, RI. He also leaves three grandchildren, Christina Williamson Peabody and her husband Rob of Portsmouth, RI and Austen and Ariana Sullivan of Florida. He leaves two great-grandsons Colton Robert Peabody and Breden Edward Peabody of Portsmouth, RI.His funeral will be held on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 8 am from Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 am in Jesus Saviour Church, Broadway at Vernon Avenue, Newport. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Columba Cemetery, Middletown.