Lt. Col. Alexander Harrison Von Plinsky III

Columbia: LTC A. H. Von Plinsky III, US Army (Ret’d.) died Wednesday, October 19, 2011. Born in Augusta, Georgia, he was a son of the late Alexander H. Von Plinsky, Jr. and Eleanor Paprocki Von Plinsky.

A man is often remembered for what he has done, and if that be the case, then our father led a full life. Emerging from the South to see the world as an officer in the U.S. Army, he led soldiers in places ranging from Hawaii to Greece, Washington to Baghdad, and nearly every place in between.

When his military service concluded he didn’t slow down, he simply changed uniforms. After guiding all four of us to our Eagle Scout Awards, he took it upon himself to continue to guide hundreds of other young men to their Eagles as well.

While both the Army and Scouting were important to Dad, his devotion and service to the Catholic Church was greater still. Beginning as an Altar Boy in elementary school and continuing in various capacities, including service as a fourth degree Knight of Columbus, his faith, and his well-worn Rosary Beads, were Dad’s clear and constant companions.

All that being said, our father will not be remembered for what he did, but rather for who he was. He was a devoted husband, a remarkable father, a gentle grandfather, a loving son, a caring brother and a true friend. Those descriptions seem to us to be both completely accurate and wholly insufficient. Put simply, as Dad would no doubt want, our father was a kind man to whom we will always look when the right way forward is less than clear.

Survivors include his wife of more than 35 years, Patricia Cannon Von Plinsky of Columbia; sons, Alexander H. Von Plinsky IV and wife, Brenda, of Amherst, MA, CPT Anthony T. Von Plinsky and wife, Lacy, of Blythewood, CPT Allen F. Von Plinsky and wife, Diana, of Columbia, Aaron J. Von Plinsky and wife, Daytona, of New York, NY; granddaughters, Abigail, Meghan, Kyleigh and Madison; sister, Monica Von Plinsky of Oak Lawn, IL; brothers, Jonathan A. Von Plinsky of Augusta, GA, Andrew T. Von Plinsky and wife, Debra, of Evans, GA, Mark A. Von Plinsky and wife, JoAnn, of Suwanee, GA; as well as three beloved dachshunds.

A Mass of Christian Burial for LTC Von Plinsky will be held Noon, Thursday, October 27, 2011, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 100 Polo Road, Columbia, with The Rev. Father C. Alexander McDonald officiating. Final Commendation and Farewell Prayers will be said at 2 o’clock at Fort Jackson National Cemetery along with full military honors. The family will receive friends from 5:30 until 7:30, Wednesday evening, at Shives Funeral Home, 5202 Colonial Drive, Columbia. A Rosary will be recited following the visitation, led by The Rev. Father Bernard Oniwe. Memorials may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, Indian Waters Council, P.O. Box 144, Columbia, SC 29202.