Col. Robert B Lander, USA Retired

  Ret. Colonel Robert B. Lander, 91, resident of The Renaissance in Due West, SC widower of Tommie Stroud Lander passed away Saturday  March 11, 2023 at The Renaissance.

  Born in Abbeville, SC he was the son of the late William Jones Lander and Annie Cheathan Lander Wood.

  Lander, an Eagle Scout, graduated Magna Cum Laude from University of South Carolina in 1958. He entered the U.S. Army in 1948, attended the basic parachutist course in 1949 and was the honor and distinguished Graduate of his Infantry Officer Candidate Course in 1951. During the Korean War in 1952 and 1953 he served as a rifle platoon leader on Co. L, 5^th Regimental Combat Team. He commanded the 1^st Battalion, 14c Infantry 4^th Infantry Division in Vietnam during 1968 and 1969. He commanded the 2nd Brigade 7^th Infantry Division during 1976-77.

  He was also a graduate of the US Army War College. While attending The War College he earned a Masters of Science degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg State College,

  His Awards and Decorations include: The Combat Infantry Badge with Star, The Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, The Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Bronze Star with V device and two Oak Leaf Clusters, The Air Medal with eight Oak Leaf Clusters, The Purple Heart, The Ranger Tab, The Master Parachutist Badge and the Pathfinder Badge.

  Upon retirement after 35 years of active duty, he served for seven years as Abbeville County Veterans Affairs Officer. He was a past commander of Post 2, The American Legion

  Survivors include: a son Robert Bartlette Lander (Carol) of Atlanta, Georgia; a daughter Suzanne Chudejova (Zbynek Chude) of Taylors, SC; two grandsons John and Ben Lander.

  He was preceded in death by a brother James Lander.

  Graveside services will be conducted Saturday March 18, 2023 at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens at 2:00 PM with the Rev. Brandon Fulmer officiating with Full Military Honors.

  Memorials in memory of Colonel Lander may be made to Main St. United Methodist Church, PO Box 656 Abbeville, SC 29620.

  Online condolences may be made to the Lander family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com

  The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the Lander family.