He was born December 27, 1937 in Jackson to Hazel West and Robert Jones Castleman, Sr. He attended Jackson public schools graduating from high school in 1955 and then attended the University of Tennessee at Martin for a year on a football scholarship while awaiting his entry into West Point. He was granted an appointment by Representative Tom Murray to enter West Point in July 1956. Bob saw this appointment as the single most impactful event of his life. He arrived at West Point on July 2, 1956 and was sworn in with the Class of 1960 the following day.
He graduated from West Point on June 8, 1960 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery (FA). He completed Ranger and Airborne training at Fort Benning, GA in the fall of 1960. After six months at Fort Sill, OK for FA basic officer training, he reported to Fort Campbell, KY for duty with the 101st Airborne Division serving there until June 1963.
He spent a year of service in Korea as commander of an FA battery. This assignment was followed by an assignment as commander of B Btry, 1st/28th FA at Fort Carson, CO where he remained for about a year before being reassigned to Vietnam. He served in the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam and participated in combat operations from the Division's base a Cu Chi.
Bob attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA for two years earning a MS Degree in Operations Research in 1970. He served three years as an Instructor and Assistant Professor of Mathematics at West Point and a year at Fort Leavenworth, KS as a student at the Command and General Staff College. He returned to the Naval Postgraduate School as a faculty member from 1976-1977.
From 1974-76 he served as the Operations Officer and Executive Officer of the 4th Bn/4th FA at Fort Sill, OK. Under his supervision, Bob and other members of the Battalion achieved some fleeting fame for building what was then the largest jigsaw puzzle ever recorded officially. Building the puzzle was in support of a charity fund drive and was recognized for several years in the "Guinness Book of World Records" as a certified world record.
He was selected to command the 1st Bn/75th FA stationed in Bamberg, Germany from 1978 until January 1980. He returned to the US in 1980 and served several years within the Department of Army Staff in Washington, DC and one year as a student at the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm.
Bob retired from the Army in July 1986 with the rank of Colonel. He remained in the Washington DC area for almost 15 years working in the information technology business. He retired from his business career as Assistant Vice President at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Edenton Castleman; daughter, Claire Castleman Adrian (Matt) of Joplin, MO; son, John Craig Castleman of Dallas, TX; stepdaughter, Katherine Edenton Brown (George) of Memphis, TN; step-son, Dr. Grattan Taylor Brown (Julie) of Fairfax, VA; eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
His parents, Hazel and Bob Castleman, Sr. and sister, Betty Castleman Jenkins, precede him in death.
Funeral services and burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.
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