Dr. A. David Mangelsdorff’s odyssey has been a quest for expanding his knowledge, solving problems, teaching, writing, and testing the limits as he traveled over many seas and paths. As a military officer, Colonel (USAR, retired) Mangelsdorff took an oath to serve, protect, and defend our communities and nation. As a professor for the Army-Baylor University MHA/MBA program for over 50 years, one of his goals was to be a servant-leader and a good role model. He educated his military graduate students and prepared them to be confident leaders able to solve problems in challenging situations and take care of each other and their personnel. He retired as a Professor Emeritus (Baylor University) and full colonel (Army). He was a Fulbright faculty scholar, chairperson for NATO research study groups on psychological support, civil servant, leader in military psychology, fellow in multiple professional societies, alumni college class officer, philanthropist, and editor and scholar with books and publications over seven decades. Not bad for a Damn Yankee!

Dr. Mangelsdorff was blessed with parents who were fine role models. His father was an occupational health physician, elder in the Presbyterian Church, college class officer, and senior healthcare executive. His mother was a homemaker and college class officer. Both were active in community and alumni activities for which they were recognized. They ensured he had great educational opportunities (Dartmouth, Oxford, Delaware, St. Mary’s, Texas School of Public Health, and National Defense University). He had opportunities to travel abroad, explore, and learn about other cultures, histories, literatures, and traditions. The military encouraged him to broaden his personal, educational, and life experiences and to give back to others locally, nationally, and internationally.

His odyssey is completed. The traveler has ended his journey; thank God it’s finished. No regrets. Lessons learned. Bravo Zulu!