All Things Richard Rohmer (merged)

[Hunter]

On the way back from my visit to France in June for the 60th anniversary of D-day, I got into a conversation with a very nice couple on the shuttle at Toronto airport.  They were returning from France as well, and he had been part of the official ceremonies.  It turned out that he had flown a Mustang on D-day and retired as General.  I've also read some references to his books on this forum.  Are there any books by this author that anyone might recommend?

Thanks.

 

[Brad Sallows]

General Rohmer's book on his Normandy service is titled "Patton's Gap", if memory serves.  His apportionment of blame for the alleged failure to close the Falaise pocket was challenged by LCol (ret'd) Carlo D'Este in "Decision in Normandy".  I happen to agree with d'Este's estimation, so I haven't bothered to read Rohmer's book.  I suspect it might be like learning about phlogiston or luminiferous ether - interesting, but not particularly enlightening.

 

[PPCLI Guy]

If it is the same guy, you will find that he wrote a number of speculative political fiction books, including one where the US invades Canada - and is defeated (I believe that it is called Exxoneration).

 

[LKG]

Major-General Richard Rohmer just had his memoirs published in November. I got an advance copy and have read it - it is enjoyable, and exhibits a most interesting life. He is the most decorated Canadian alive, and his acquaintances are a whose who of the world.

 

[Michael OLeary]

He is the most decorated Canadian alive, ..........

Did Smokey Smith die? For many of us, one Victoria Cross trumps any number of lower "orders."

Smokey Smith's medals are shown.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2004/10/29/cesena_smokeysmith041029.html

For the record, from http://wx.toronto.ca/inter/it/newsrel.nsf/0/4c71b0ac8e37999c85256df60045ca12?OpenDocument:

Richard Rohmer is one of two persons who is both a Commander of the Order of Military Merit and an Officer of the Order of Canada. He holds the Jubilee Medal, the Centennial Medal, the Confederation (125 year) Medal, and the Canada Defence Medal (CD). In July 1989, he was appointed by H.M. King Beaudoin of Belgium to the Order of Leopold with the rank of Officer (OfL). In June 1997 he was appointed to the Order of Ontario (O.Ont) and is now a member of the Advisory Council of the Order of Ontario.

 

[LKG]

To quote your link:

"Richard Rohmer is Canada's most decorated citizen."

This is not to downplay one over the other. Both have made huge contributions that all should be proud of.

 

[Michael OLeary]

This is not to downplay one over the other. Both have made huge contributions that all should be proud of.

Exactly, it's an unquantifiable accolade. And any such claims are only in the personal perspective of the speaker or writer. Which is why it deserved to be given some perspective.

 

[Long in the tooth]

I recall 25 years ago reading several of Gen Rohmer's novels.  Well paced and easy to digest, I found they often stereo typed certain characters.  There always seemed to be a Peter Lougheed, an anglicized Trudeau as PM, and a hard as*ed US President.  Pretty good but light reading, a less technical version of Tom Clancy.

 

[Spanky]

A couple of Rohmer stories:  He was chancellor of the University of Windsor for a few years and met him a couple of times there.  I read most of his fiction and a few of his non fiction.  Separation and Separation II were both good.  Ultimatim and Exxoneration were a part 1 and 2 as well.
We were doing a vital point excercise a number of years ago at Kincardine airport.  We were the quick reaction force in Bisons.  We received a message that a single engine cessna was landing with a drug dealer and went out to secure it as it landed.  We surrounded the plane and the troop had the pilot on the ground.  I was on the C6 supporting when I recognized the pilot.  I dashed out and spoke to the over enthusiastic young troop officer and told him who the pilot was.  Richard Rohmer had just flown in from Owen Sound to visit some friends.  He We got him up, dusted him off and apologized all over the place.  He was pretty good about it.  He played along with whole thing.  Seems he saw our shoulder titles and knew we were from Windsor.  Classy Guy.   

 

[The Bread Guy]

From an LSUC news release:

A former chief justice, a World War II fighter pilot, a former deputy minister, and two Superior Court of Justice judges will each receive the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa (LL.D.), from the Law Society of Upper Canada.
(....)
Major-General Richard Rohmer, O.C., C.M.M., D.F.C., O. Ont., K.St.J., C.D., Of.L., Q.C., A.deC., LL.B, LL.D., and a Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, is Canada's most decorated citizen, a distinguished World War II fighter pilot, a D-Day veteran and served as Chief of Reserves of the Canadian Forces (1978 - 1981). He is an Honorary Aide de Camp to the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. He is also an award-winning best-selling author of some 30 novels and non-fiction books. Currently a partner with the Toronto-based law firm of Rohmer & Fenn, he practises civil litigation with a focus on aviation law and land use matters, and is a mediator and arbitrator with ADR Chambers. He served as chancellor of the University of Windsor from 1978 through 1989 and from 1996 through 1997. He chaired the influential Royal Commission on Book Publishing from 1970 through 1972, and was counsel to the Robarts Royal Commission on Metropolitan Toronto.

Major-General Rohmer will receive his LL.D. at the Call ceremony in Toronto on June 18.
(....)

MGEN (ret'd) Rohmer's partial bibliography here.

 

[The Bread Guy]

This from the Info-machine:

General Tom Lawson, Canada’s Chief of the Defence, is proud to name Major-General (Retired) Richard Rohmer, OC, CMM, DFC, O.Ont., KStJ, CD, OL, QC, BA, LLB, JD, LLD, Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, as the Honorary Advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff.

The position of Honorary Advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff was created to recognize MGen (Ret’d) Rohmer’s contributions to the Canadian Armed Forces, and the unique advice and guidance that he provides to the Chief of the Defence Staff, drawing from his wealth of experience in service to Canada.

Quick Facts

    MGen (Ret’d) Rohmer is a decorated veteran of the Second World War with decades of service in the Canadian Armed Forces. He was promoted to the rank of Major-General and appointed Chief of Reserves of the Canadian Armed Forces in 1978, and retired in 1981.
    During the Second World War he served as a fighter-reconnaissance pilot from 1942-1945. He took part in the D-Day Operation, served in France, Belgium and Holland completing a 135-mission tour of operations in November 1944, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
    In August 1990, MGen (Ret’d) Rohmer was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. He holds the Jubilee Medal, the Centennial Medal, the Confederation (125 year) Medal; the Golden Jubilee Medal; The Diamond Jubilee Medal; and the Canada Defence Medal (CD). In July 1989, he was appointed by H.M. King Beaudoin of Belgium to the Order of Leopold with the rank of Officer (OfL). In June 1997 he was appointed to the Order of Ontario and was a member of the Advisory Council of the Order of Ontario 2000-2012. In May 2004 he was appointed by the President of France as a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour ....

Only the tiniest speck of information re:  duties here:

.... The position of Honorary Advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff was created to recognize MGen (Ret’d) Rohmer’s contributions to the CAF, and the unique advice and guidance that he provides to the CDS drawing from his wealth of experience in service to Canada ....

:Tin-Foil-Hat: part:  Last summer, the boss of the RCAF sought some help with the Honoraries, and while MERX says the work was awarded for $147,555.40 (see attached), no name has been given.  I'm waiting to hear from PWGSC re:  who won that one, but could this be a roll-up of sorts (even if the "retired no later than" specs in the original haven't been met here)?  Or is this apples and oranges?  More, as I get it (or not) from PWGSC ....

 

[McG]

Sounds like an "old boys network" sort of reward.  The CDS has staff whose job it is to advise him.  Creating an "honorary advisor" who is expected to actually advise, well that seems like a bit of a slight to those who are actually employed to do the job.

 

[OldSolduer]

:facepalm:

I am trying to refrain from comment but I can't help this - what next? Honorary Custodians cleaning our buildings?

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

Rohmer is still around ??? I thought for sure he was dead by now. He's got to be over 90.

He was a (bad) serial novel writer in the 70's, a bit in the style of Tom Clancy, but for Canadian stories. They were weak.

He's also the guy who got the Kiowa's for the air reserve in about the same era.

 

[Old Sweat]

This is one of those things I will not comment on because of my respect for and friendship with the owner of this site. If that is too far out, mods please delate and deduct a ton of midpoints, but the gentleman in question may have some baggage.

 

[expwor]

Not the first honorary position he has held
From Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Rohmer
He is the Honorary Deputy Commissioner of the OPP, Honorary Chief of Toronto EMS, Honorary Fire Chief of Collingwood, named First Honorary Chief Of Paramedics in Ontario, and Honorary Detective of the Toronto Police Service
He also negotiated the donation of Conrad Black's collection of Duplessis papers in exchange for an Honorary Degree
Caveat to this, the source to the above is Wikipedia
But interesting seeing as he is now Honorary Advisor to CDS

Tom

 

[Tibbson]

Lets hope someone in the CDS' office can pass on some advice to the M Gen.  http://wearingyourmedalswrong.blogspot.ca/2010/10/major-general-richard-rohmer-man-of.html

 

[OldSolduer]

Lets hope someone in the CDS' office can pass on some advice to the M Gen.  http://wearingyourmedalswrong.blogspot.ca/2010/10/major-general-richard-rohmer-man-of.html

I'm sure the CFCWO will get right on that. After he ensures the pips and crowns and new RCAF stuff is sorted out.

 

[daftandbarmy]

I think we really need to reinstate the position of 'Court Jester'. Although I might be a bit self-serving here as it seems I may qualify well for the position  ;D

Then come jesters, musicians and trained dwarfs,
And singing girls from the land of Ti-ti,
To delight the ear and eye
And bring mirth to the mind.
—Sima Xiangru (ca. 179-117 B.C.), Rhapsody on the Shanglin Park

The recruiting of jesters was tremendously informal and meritocratic, perhaps indicating greater mobility and fluidity in past society than is often supposed. A man with the right qualifications might be found anywhere: in Russia "they were generally selected from among the older and uglier of the serf-servants, and the older the fool or she-fool was, the droller they were supposed and expected to be. The fool had the right to sit at table with his master, and say whatever came into his head."

http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/640914.html

 

[Loachman]

He was a (bad) serial novel writer in the 70's, a bit in the style of Tom Clancy, but for Canadian stories. They were weak.

I remember those, and may still have copies somewhere. Your assessment is too kind.

He's also the guy who got the Kiowa's for the air reserve in about the same era.

The Air Militia was blessed with Kiowas around 1981-1982, when they received the Portage trainers as those were replaced with new Jet Rangers.