In Memory of Robert "RT" Tarbuck........ 1st Platoon
A "Currahee Brother" who passed away in July of 2023. We invite his Currahee Brothers that knew him well to make some comments.
Robert "Bob" L. Tarbuck... 74 Years old, passed away on Monday July 24th, 2023. Lived in Apex, NC. Born in Ohio on July 9th, 1949
Bob and Paige
Two days after FSB Ripcord shutdown, First Platoon, Charlie, 2/506 arrived at Eagle Beach. Bob Tarbuck, who passed last night, is standing far right in front of Steve Manthei and beside Bob Smoker (wearing sunglasses). Terry Unger is kneeling in front of Bob Tarbuck. Left of Smoker is John Harvey (also in sunglasses); boonie hat guy's name is Tatum, I think; left of him is Leigh Freeman and James Beach. Standing behind Beach is Burl Ives (wearing the ballcap). Left to right next to Burl Ives is Ron Hogan, Frank Parada, and Manthei again. Shirtless guy in front IDK. RIP Bob Tarbuck! Leigh Freeman
MEMORIAL SERVICE:
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Tribute from Steve Manthei,
RT had this done in the Nam. Looking forward and dreaming of the future. Great attitude!
The M60 Gun Team when we got there was Taylor as Gunner and Pence as AG. Pence was wounded. I was moved to AG. Then, Taylor left for the World, and I was moved to Gunner and RT joined as AG. Team within a team. Hair of the Dog!
Sharing the care package from home was normal for us. All those goodies were enjoyed by all of our guys. Dad would add a number of home town papers so I could see what was happening back home. Marked the articles he wanted us to read. The war protest were hot and heavy in our state. Those same kind of anti-war, anti-combat, radicals were waiting for us when we came home. Including some Nam vets. Wake up call!
Pad on Ripcord. Background is 902 with Cooper, RT, WJ, and Doc Powell. History tell us not only did we see the horrors of war. But in the light of lumination rounds and explosions we saw a lot of rough men fighting with a vengeance. Why is America is the only faith based free country in the world? Defending each other is what we did. There is honor and brotherhood in that!
RT had a great sense of humor and loved the taste of a good cigar. Often lead to a few good stories and lots of laughter. Good for our spirits. Learned we all could laugh about something that wasn’t even funny. A tool for us to use when needed. Great story teller and a adventurous guy.
RT switched and became the Gunner and I became the AG. In the beginning as AG, RT said he felt safe standing behind me. When he became Gunner, I told him at least half of me felt safe standing behind him. More Nam humor. This picture was taken by a Stars and Stripes photographer. He gave me his cigarette and said it would make us look more realistic. Sound familiar today? Iconic picture for a number of reasons.
Summer of 1971, RT called me and we talked for at least a hour. He decided he was coming up to visit. The same day he jumped into his American Muscle car and showed up a couple days later. RT stayed with my folks. My dad and RT talked about their wars. At that time RT learned about my lost records and the disrespect being showed to Steve, Fred, and Catherin Stanley regarding their request to have me bring Steve home. GM and UAW Local 95 said the Dept. of Army did not give out those kinds of orders. RT said he’d straighten them out. They said that was here say. Needed records. Would not talk to him. RT called that "Gas on the Fire". Understanding Steve was not the intended target. RT and I remained shoulder-to-shoulder on this issue. Egregious at best! Who thinks like that?
In 2005, out of the blue I got a call from Steve Stanley (2nd). Shocked at first. Turned out to be a blessing. Called RT. We had a reunion of sorts at my home July of 2005. Steve came, RT came, Don and Linda Holthausen came. VVA Chapter 236 provided helmet, M-16, boots, and flag. Remembering Our Steve Stanley. We invited Paul Ryan, GM,UAW Local 95 President Mike Sheridan, VVA member John Kettle, and the Janesville Gazette to do our story. We were going to ask them the questions no one else would ask. No one showed up. Made it clear to us who was grateful and who was not. Who is a leader and who was not. Wisconsin Fair Employment Act and its 180 day statute of Limitations seemed flawed .Why was this Law written that way? Was it fair ? RT called it Personally Taunting Soldiers Daily. Sounded right to us. No Peace!
RT was much more than a good soldier. He was a Patriot, A devoted Husband. He was a proud Father. Rob was his pride and joy. He was a successful business owner. He loved helping others. He was an educator and a history guy. Believed if people did not understand the true history of the Vietnam War and what happened to some of its veterans after they returned home. They would end up making a big mistake. Much bigger issue than some people believed. That would set the stage for what we have today. Later in life he was blessed with Paige. She helped him enjoy life to the fullest he could. Yet he never forgot.
Parkinson, Took his frustrations out on that punching bag. That bag took a beating. You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. He understood that why we fight is more important then with whom, when, and where. He understood better than most that someone sacrificed his tomorrow so he could have his today. Worked hard at being worthy of it. One of the last times we talked. He said “ Don’t let them win”. I assured him we would hold the line till the last man’s standing.
The last time we talked he began with some RT humor. Just like old times. Then we moved on to heartfelt sincere motivating words. We then said our goodbyes. He departed the Warrior he was. That’s RT. He did it his way.
RIP RT, Currahee!!!
"Thank you brother for a job well done". Until we meet again my friend ..... "Currahee"......"Stands Alone"
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