Eulogy for Tim Dolan by West Point Classmate and Rugby Teammate

Eulogy for Tim Dolan by West Point Classmate and Rugby Teammate, Steve Carter

Classmates,

It was great to see everyone last weekend at our 20th reunion. At the Memorial Service in the Cadet Chapel, I gave a brief eulogy in memory of Tim Dolan. Unfortunately, the microphone setup caused extreme feedback, so I turned it off, which made it difficult for many in the church to hear. At the request of Lew Boore and several other folks, I am sending the notes

from the eulogy.

Steve

Eulogy for Tim Dolan:

I am lucky to have known Tim Dolan for over 24 years, beginning as plebes here at WP, as roommates in D-3, playing FB here and rugby after graduation. As best man at my wedding, Tim was responsible for getting me to this church on time 10 years ago. I want to share a few thoughts about Tim, both my own and some of those from his family and many friends. Joining us today are Tim's brother, Mike (USMA grad), his sister Meg and her husband, Rob Rockwood (USMA grad), and his cousin Diana and her husband, Scott Sajer (USMA grad).

Tim came to WP from Allentown, PA, where he was the BMOC - great student, great FB player, and great friend. At WP, Tim was a super cadet who kept it all in perspective. As roommates, we never won the "Cleanest room" award or the "most likely to follow all these silly rules" award. A couple of examples: Tim bought a '68 or '69 Impala our sophomore year and kept it here, just a little early. That car took many of us to Florida for spring break, to the Jersey Shore, and to the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.

Tim also ignored the fact that we should have been a little depressed by our football team's victory percentage during our four years. Even though we were making the other teams look very good, and helped guys like Dan Marino, Matt Millen, Mike Singletary, Lawrence Taylor, and Matt Suhey get into the Hall of Fame by making them look so good, Tim never got down. He would say, "We did not lose that game, we just ran out of time!"

Tim ignored the rule about graduating in four years, too. It was not because of any trouble - it was because he wanted to pursue his dream of studying abroad for a semester. So, he resigned at the end of first semester senior year, and took off for the Univ. of Munich. He had already applied for and was approved for a nomination from his senator, so upon completing his semester abroad, he returned to WP and graduated in Dec. 81. This was unprecedented, but Tim did not follow precedents, he set them.

Tim went FA, and after Basic, went to Germany, where he served in Giessen, then served as a liaison officer with the German army, working on GEN Colin Powell's staff. He was very proud of his OER that had Colin Powell as his senior rater. He left active duty after 5 years.

In civilian life, Tim spent most of his time in Europe, working for several companies in Brussels and London. Tim was definitely his own man, and not defined by work. Many of us identify with each other by answering the question "who do you work for?" or "what do you do?" Tim worked because he had to, in order to have money to fulfill his real mission in life - to bring joy to others. You always wanted to join Tim because no matter what, it was going to be fun. He was always up for a rugby match when and wherever. He gave countless tours of Europe to family and friends. He loved adventures, like annual trips to Ireland or to Pamplona for the running of the bulls. He also loved spontaneous adventures. When Haley's comet was going to be visible for the only time in the next 100 years, Tim organized a group of folks to go to Brazil to see it for a few minutes, just because that was the best place on earth to see it.

Tim was working for a European company named Marconi and living in Brussels when he passed away suddenly on August 28th of this year. He died of natural causes in his apartment. We are not sure of the exact cause. Tim was single, but was pretty serious with a girl named Leanne. Tim's funeral was held on September 7th outside of Allentown. People showed up from Brussels, London, and from around the United States. As Tim would have wanted, after the funeral, everyone celebrated his life with laughter and great memories.

Tim was the most unselfish guy I have ever known. In fact, he only had 25 letters in his alphabet because there was no letter "I." In 24 years, I cannot remember him talking about himself. He was a role model for how we should live our lives in terms of what is really important in life - family, friends, and experiences. Even people who met Tim briefly did not know him as "that guy I met in the train station" or "that guy at the restaurant"; they remember him by name, that guy Tim Dolan. This is demonstrated by the fact that there is another memorial being held tomorrow in London for Tim by his European friends. And, before every rugby match in one league in England this fall, a moment of silence will be held in memory of Tim.

Even though Tim did not fit the typical cadet mold or typical corporate businessman mold, he was truly successful in everything important. Don Rutherford, one of Tim's closest friends in Europe, summed up Tim's success:

"I can't help feeling that this is so wrong, so unfair. Tim - his indomitable spirit, his unbounded zest for life, and his Can Do attitude -is irreplaceable. When my father died I discovered a quotation written in his address book that has always inspired me: 'That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much, who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children, who has filled his niche and accomplished his task, who leaves the world better than he found it.' Tim is the most successful man I ever met yet there was so much more to come. His death leaves us with a void that cannot be filled."

I was speaking recently with my sister about Tim, and she said that there is a simple reason why Tim died so young. God knew that He was going to need some help for something soon, so He called on Tim. It all makes sense now after Sept 11th. Tim is helping God by bringing laughter and joy to those 6000 folks newly arrived in heaven. In fact, Tim probably has them all playing rugby and singing songs right now.

Tim lived life to the fullest, so he deserves to rest now. May he rest in peace.





	Eulogy for Tim Dolan by West Point Classmate and Rugby Teammate, Steve Carter

	Classmates, It was great to see everyone last weekend at our 20th reunion. At the Memorial Service in the Cadet Chapel, I gave a brief eulogy in memory of Tim Dolan. Unfortunately, the microphone setup caused extreme feedback, so I turned it off, which made it difficult for many in the church to hear. At the request of Lew Boore and several other folks, I am sending the notes from the eulogy. Steve Eulogy for Tim Dolan: I am lucky to have known Tim Dolan for over 24 years, beginning as plebes here at WP, as roommates in D-3, playing FB here and rugby after graduation. As best man at my wedding, Tim was responsible for getting me to this church on time 10 years ago. I want to share a few thoughts about Tim, both my own and some of those from his family and many friends. Joining us today are Tim's brother, Mike (USMA grad), his sister Meg and her husband, Rob Rockwood (USMA grad), and his cousin Diana and her husband, Scott Sajer (USMA grad). Tim came to WP from Allentown, PA, where he was the BMOC - great student, great FB player, and great friend. At WP, Tim was a super cadet who kept it all in perspective. As roommates, we never won the "Cleanest room" award or the "most likely to follow all these silly rules" award. A couple of examples: Tim bought a '68 or '69 Impala our sophomore year and kept it here, just a little early. That car took many of us to Florida for spring break, to the Jersey Shore, and to the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. Tim also ignored the fact that we should have been a little depressed by our football team's victory percentage during our four years. Even though we were making the other teams look very good, and helped guys like Dan Marino, Matt Millen, Mike Singletary, Lawrence Taylor, and Matt Suhey get into the Hall of Fame by making them look so good, Tim never got down. He would say, "We did not lose that game, we just ran out of time!" Tim ignored the rule about graduating in four years, too. It was not because of any trouble - it was because he wanted to pursue his dream of studying abroad for a semester. So, he resigned at the end of first semester senior year, and took off for the Univ. of Munich. He had already applied for and was approved for a nomination from his senator, so upon completing his semester abroad, he returned to WP and graduated in Dec. 81. This was unprecedented, but Tim did not follow precedents, he set them. Tim went FA, and after Basic, went to Germany, where he served in Giessen, then served as a liaison officer with the German army, working on GEN Colin Powell's staff. He was very proud of his OER that had Colin Powell as his senior rater. He left active duty after 5 years. In civilian life, Tim spent most of his time in Europe, working for several companies in Brussels and London. Tim was definitely his own man, and not defined by work. Many of us identify with each other by answering the question "who do you work for?" or "what do you do?" Tim worked because he had to, in order to have money to fulfill his real mission in life - to bring joy to others. You always wanted to join Tim because no matter what, it was going to be fun. He was always up for a rugby match when and wherever. He gave countless tours of Europe to family and friends. He loved adventures, like annual trips to Ireland or to Pamplona for the running of the bulls. He also loved spontaneous adventures. When Haley's comet was going to be visible for the only time in the next 100 years, Tim organized a group of folks to go to Brazil to see it for a few minutes, just because that was the best place on earth to see it. Tim was working for a European company named Marconi and living in Brussels when he passed away suddenly on August 28th of this year. He died of natural causes in his apartment. We are not sure of the exact cause. Tim was single, but was pretty serious with a girl named Leanne. Tim's funeral was held on September 7th outside of Allentown. People showed up from Brussels, London, and from around the United States. As Tim would have wanted, after the funeral, everyone celebrated his life with laughter and great memories. Tim was the most unselfish guy I have ever known. In fact, he only had 25 letters in his alphabet because there was no letter "I." In 24 years, I cannot remember him talking about himself. He was a role model for how we should live our lives in terms of what is really important in life - family, friends, and experiences. Even people who met Tim briefly did not know him as "that guy I met in the train station" or "that guy at the restaurant"; they remember him by name, that guy Tim Dolan. This is demonstrated by the fact that there is another memorial being held tomorrow in London for Tim by his European friends. And, before every rugby match in one league in England this fall, a moment of silence will be held in memory of Tim. Even though Tim did not fit the typical cadet mold or typical corporate businessman mold, he was truly successful in everything important. Don Rutherford, one of Tim's closest friends in Europe, summed up Tim's success: "I can't help feeling that this is so wrong, so unfair. Tim - his indomitable spirit, his unbounded zest for life, and his Can Do attitude -is irreplaceable. When my father died I discovered a quotation written in his address book that has always inspired me: 'That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much, who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children, who has filled his niche and accomplished his task, who leaves the world better than he found it.' Tim is the most successful man I ever met yet there was so much more to come. His death leaves us with a void that cannot be filled." I was speaking recently with my sister about Tim, and she said that there is a simple reason why Tim died so young. God knew that He was going to need some help for something soon, so He called on Tim. It all makes sense now after Sept 11th. Tim is helping God by bringing laughter and joy to those 6000 folks newly arrived in heaven. In fact, Tim probably has them all playing rugby and singing songs right now. Tim lived life to the fullest, so he deserves to rest now. May he rest in peace.