Richard W. Tennant

Richard W. Tennant, of West Friendship, died May 27, 2009, at his winter home, in Summerfield, Fla. He was 85.

Born and raised in Baltimore, he was drafted into the Army after graduation from Polytechnic Institute in 1943.

He fought in the Italian campaign and landed on the coast of Solerno in January 1944. He advanced to a heavily fortified hilltop monastery called Monte Cassino held by the German forces. Family members say he spent his 20th birthday in a foxhole there and was so close he could count the bricks on its walls. His division then proceeded to Anzio, and then to Rome. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre for his service in Europe.

"Like a lot of those World War II vets, he did not talk about the war for many years. He had a lot of close calls," said his sister, Elizabeth Keller, of Towson. "He lost a lot of his buddies and he retained contacts with his friends long after the war ended."

He married the former Mary Wagner in 1948, who preceded him in death in 1988.

Mr. Tennant earned a bachelor's degree in business administration at the University of Maryland. He worked in marketing at the Westinghouse Corp. throughout the 1950s. In 1960 he opened his first of several automotive franchises. He retired 21 years ago.

He enjoyed traveling, woodworking, gardening, and boating. In retirement, he was an active member of the Tristate Chapter of the 34th Infantry Division Association. In 2003 and 2005 he and family members visited battlefields where he had fought.

"He was always impressed with the reception given him when he visited Italy," said his sister.

In addition to his sister, he is survived by his wife of 11 years, the former Bettie Gray; three sons, Mark Tennant, of San Francisco, Douglas Tennant, of Ellicott City, and Stephen Tennant, of Potomac; one daughter, Nancy Tennant, of Ellicott City; one stepson, Mark Gray, of Severn; one stepdaughter, Lynn White, of Elkridge; another sister, Anne LeCompte, of Towson; and six grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Hebron House, in Ellicott City.

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