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| Henry Donald Spielman
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| NO. 17616 |
Died 11 September 1975 in New York, New York, aged 47 years
Interment: Knollwood Cemetery, New York, New York
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When HANK SPIELMAN
returned to West Point for his 25th Reunion in May of 1975, he must have known
that he was saying farewell to his classmates in the Class of 1950. Even then,
the cruel malignancy was starting to take its toll on that
charismatic personality that became so personally involved with West Point.
On the 11th
of September of 1975, Henry David Spielman was laid to rest in Knollwood
Cemetery in his beloved New York City. The sole son of David and Sadye
Spielman, he was survived by his mother and sister Audrey, of Falls Church,
Virginia.
Hank's life
was a paradox. As a cadet, a soldier, and as a businessman, he had to learn to
cope with adversity. But he always developed the knack to succeed. He liked to
boast that he was first man in his class in French, the last man in Military
Topography and Graphics; that he was an All-State basketball player and
yet had difficulty with the plebe obstacle course. Although he suffered through
an unbelievably hard plebe year, he developed an affection and camaraderie for
his company mates that was to be his hallmark for twenty-five years.
His home in
New York became a hospitality suite to any cadet or graduate. His mother
affectionately regaled in her role of "cadet hostess of Manhattan." He served the Army well for three years after graduation. When the Korean War
broke out in 1950, Hank was transferred from Fort Custer, Michigan, to an anti-aircraft
artillery battalion in Germany. Having "missed the war, family business interests enticed him out of the Army.
In 1957 he assumed the presidency of Spielman Chevrolet and Transportation
Incorporated, businesses he expanded and consolidated until his untimely death.
Few soldiers
or graduates have ever nurtured a deeper love of West Point. Nothing gave him
more pride or pleasure than to escort a friend around his alma mater, or to
host a young cadet in his New York apartment, or to sponsor an aspiring
candidate in his endeavor to become a cadet. His apartment was tastefully
decorated with the pictures and memorabilia of his cadet days. A visitor might
even perceive that Hank Spielman should have never left the Army, let alone
West Point.
He
gave of his money, time, and talent to many charitable organizations. But in his characteristic style, he had to play a
leading role in his favorite, the organization to build a new Jewish Chapel at
West Point.
Hank ran his
automobile business with the same philosophy that he practiced personally. The
following principles were extracted from the organization pamphlet which Hank
used to govern the conduct of his employees in their dealings with customers.
1. Smile
- A smile is a trademark of a friendly person. Everyone likes to do
business with a friendly person.
2. Do
Small Favors - Big favors take time and are not expected. It is the
little acts of courtesy which mean so much to all of us.
3. Know
What You Are Talking About. Customers depend upon you for advice. If you don't
know the correct answer, don't try to cover up. Admit you don't know and call
someone who does. Thus, you will win the respect and confidence of those you
serve.
4. Keep
Promises Confidence is the foundation
on which business and friendship are built. Promises should not be made unless they can be kept. Broken
promises undermine confidence.
5. Be
Tactful - Tact is the consideration for the feelings of others. Try to understand
the personality of each. Handle customers with care. Embarrass no one. Make it
easy for people to deal with you.
6. Say Thank You - No two words
create more good will or bring people back more often than a friendly,
courteous, thank you.
Perhaps Hank
copied these principles out of some field manual at the Command and General
Staff College. In any case, it reflected his philosophy of life, be it in business,
the Army, or his own relationships with his friends.
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USMA 1950