Colonel Edward "Gene" Clysdale

Colonel (Retired) Edward Gene Clysdale, born in Owosso, Michigan graduated from Western Michigan College in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and English and a teaching certificate. He was commissioned as a Reserve Officer in the Quartermaster Corps but was branch detailed to Engineers.

Reporting to the Engineer School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Colonel Clysdale completed the Engineer Officer Basic Course and the Airport Engineering Course. He was subsequently assigned to the Fifth Air Force in Korea in 1954 and served on year a a Company Executive officer with the 839th Engineer Aviation Battalion at Osan, Korea. He completed his two year tour as a company Basic Training Officer with the 6th Armored Division at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Upon leaving the Active Army in 1965, Colonel Clysdale married, started his teaching career and joined the then, 415th Civil Affairs Military Government Company. He stayed with the 415th Civil Affairs Company for 21 years, serving as a Civil Affairs Specialist, Operations Officer, Executive Officer and completed his last four years as the Commanding Officer. His last reserve assignment, before retirement was as the U.S. Military Academy Cadet/ROTC Liaison Officer for Southwestern Michigan.

Colonel Clysdale received a Master of Arts in Elementary Administration and a Master of Science in Librarianship from Western Michigan University. His military education includes the Civil Affairs Company Basic and Career Officers Course, the Army Intelligence Officer Advanced Course (2nd year), the National Security Management Course or the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Command and General Staff College (Reserve Component).

Colonel Clysdale's military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal and the Expert Carbine and Pistol Badge.

Except for a two year teaching assignment as a Department of the Army Civilian in France, Colonel Clysdale was in the Kalamazoo Public School System for 30 years; 10 years as a teacher and 20 years as Head Librarian at Kalamazoo Central High School.

Colonel Clysdale was married to the former Barbara A. Kremble of Grand Rapids, Michigan (WMU '52) and they have two sons; Ned and Matthew. Colonel Clysdale passed away on 19 December 2011 in Kalamazoo.