Great loss to the 2nd Cavalry family

[Dave Gettman]

Don Stivers, one of the premiere artists in the world on the subject of US military history, and long time friend of the 2nd Cavalry, passed away Thursday, November 5, 2009, while undergoing a heart procedure.

Don painted numerous scenes depicting the 2d Dragoons over their 173 years of service, including:

NEVER A COMPLAINT, a march by Co's A, B, C, F, G and I, 2d Dragoons, from Fort Riley, Kansas, over the Rocky Mountains to Camp Scott, Utah, between the dates September 17 and November 25, 1857. With only a week to prepare for the march after extensive field duty in Kansas, the troops had little time to recover from the previous expedition. The animals suffered considerably from lack of grazing along the way and a series of blizzards in the mountains, with temperatures well below zero much of the time, caused the loss of half the 278 horses and many of the mules, but the troopers plodded on to the relief of their comrades in Utah.

RESCUING THE LIPIZZANERS, a story I hope most of you are familiar with by now. If not, I'm slacking on my job!

SERGEANT'S VALOR, a scene in which 1Sgt. Conrad Schmidt risks almost certain death to rescue his seriously wounded regimental commanding officer, Medal of Honor recipient Captain Theophilus Rodenbough, from the field of battle, earning the Medal of Honor himself for this act of heroism.

TAWAKALNA SUNSET, the smashing 2d Dragoon victory over Sadam's forces in the desert at 73 Easting.

WELCOME HOME, a celebration of the return of the 2d Dragoon's to Vilseck from Iraq in 2008.

Don was proceeded in death by his wife Bev in April 2008. Both were honored at the 2d Cavalry Association 2007 reunion with awards. They will both be greatly missed by the entire military family.

[Elliott Fitchett]

I remember many of his paintings. They were favorites of many a cav trooper.
GodSpeed Mr. Stivers, I'll thank you for your wonderful work in person one day.