Citadel Col. Harvey Dick — tough but fair

Former cadets say Col. Harvey Dick, The Citadel's long-serving assistant commandant of cadets, was a complicated man who could hand out a tough punishment, then turn around and quietly slip a financially struggling student some money for a school ring.

Dick, a Charleston native who graduated from The Citadel in 1953, died Saturday after a short but tough battle with cancer. He was 84.

Dick served as the military college's assistant commandant for discipline from 1977 to 1993, coming to the school immediately after he retired from the Army. He also was a member of The Citadel's Board of Visitors from 1993 to 1999 and from 2001 to 2007, helping to guide the school through a tumultuous process to admit women.

Citadel President Lt. Gen. John Rosa said he was deeply saddened by the loss of the "bigger than life" character who served the school well and helped raise millions of dollars over the years.

Rosa ordered the flags on campus to be flown at half-staff through next week.

Doug Snyder, chairman of the school's board, said the group Saturday voted unanimously to award Dick the Palmetto Medal, one of the college's top honors.

Stories about Dick as assistant commandant are inextricably woven into the lore of The Citadel, said Paul Tamburrino, a 1989 graduate.

A big man with a high-pitched voice, Dick inspired cadets to stand a little straighter when he entered a room, Tamburrino said.

"I didn't have a father growing up," he said, "so he was a strong role model for me."

Dick was a tough but fair disciplinarian, and he also noticed and cared about cadets' needs. If a cadet didn't have the money for a trip home and Dick learned about it, "somehow the money would appear," Tamburrino said.

"You always felt like you were the only person in his presence," he said.

Maj. Steve Smith, a tactical officer at the school and a 1984 graduate, said Dick "would jam you up in a heartbeat." But cadets also could pour their hearts out to him.

"He would chastise you if you needed it, or put his arm around you if you needed it," Smith said.

Dick often helped financially struggling cadets pay for class rings, Smith said. A group of alumni is honoring Dick by raising money for "The Ring Man's Fund."

The college's board learned of Dick's death at a meeting on campus Saturday.

Board member Allison Dean Love said Dick called her in 1997 to tell her that she had been selected to serve on the board. Love, the board's only female member, said Dick also was a part of her wedding.

"He had a huge heart for The Citadel," she said.

Dick is survived by his wife, Margie Murray Dick of Charleston; daughter, Deborah Dick Byers of North Charleston; and sons Harvey Merrrill Dick II of North Charleston and Lt. Col. Harold Michael Dick of Fort Leavenworth, Texas. He had five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Reach Diane Knich at 937-5491.