It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of Col. Robert Tredway, U.S. Army (Ret.).
Bob died March 10, 2009 after a lengthy illness.
In addition to numerous accomplishments, Bob was a Founding Member of the Combat Helicopter Pilots Association. He was one of the early crew who created the foundation for CHPA and served on CHPA's first Board of Directors. His contributions and hard work for CHPA were instrumental in the development and growth of the organization. Personally, his sage advice and good counsel kept me pointed in the right direction on numerous occasions.
Please keep Anne and Bob's family in your prayers.
Steve Reilly
Chairman of the Board
CHPA
Retired Army Colonel
And Avid Copter Flier
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Robert N. Tredway, 73, a retired Army colonel who served with the President's Emergency Mobilization Planning Board, died March 10 at Georgetown University Hospital of pulmonary fibrosis. He was a resident of the District.
Col. Tredway, who graduated in 1958 from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, began his Army career as an artillery officer, but for most of his career, he was a helicopter pilot. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
He loved to fly, his wife said, and in later years, he relied on helicopters to land him on mountaintops and mountaintop glaciers around the world. He made his way down on skis, despite shifting crevasses and fickle weather. An award-winning photographer, he documented those adventures with his camera.
Col. Tredway was awarded the Silver Star in Vietnam in 1969. When his unit came in contact with a large enemy force, he exposed himself to hostile fire by maneuvering his helicopter so that troops could be resupplied with ammunition. He also received two awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross, four awards of the Bronze Star Medal and two awards of the Purple Heart.
He also served as a commander and staff officer in Korea.
Col. Tredway received a master's degree in systems development and management from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1974.
During his service with the President's Emergency Mobilization Planning Board, he was the Defense Department representative to the National Security Council interagency task force and was the staff officer responsible for large-scale military exercises.
After his retirement from the military in 1982, he became a principal for SRA International, a consulting and management firm. He served as a project manager for more than 16 years, supporting Joint Chiefs of Staff exercises. He retired a second time in 1999.
Robert Norton Tredway was born in the District. In retirement, he became a licensed Washington tour guide and enjoyed sharing the District's past with tour groups of all ages. He also enjoyed automobiles and completed the Richard Petty racing school. He was a member of Toastmasters International.
He was a founding member of the Combat Helicopter Pilots Association and, more recently, a co-founder with the West Point class of 1958 of the Wounded Warrior program to help soldiers who have been severely wounded. Group members act as surrogate parents and provide one-on-one mentoring related to education, jobs and benefits.
His marriage to Estelle Tredway ended in divorce.
Survivors include his wife of 26 years, D. Anne Martin of the District; three children from his first marriage, Catherine Goodrum of Warrenton, Valerie Salentine of Bristow and Deborah Fischer of Phoenix; two sisters; and eight grandchildren.
