Nugent Courvoisie Obituary

Yesterday I stopped and thought about your birthday. I spoke with Joe Trez my opposite in so many ways about you as I prepare to go back for my 40th reunion. You were larger than life to me for 4 years and a mentor from afar after that. Your absence from the physical plane of our reality does not diminish your impact on our lives. I keep your memory as I try to live up to your example. Say a good word to God for me, I hope it will be a while before I join you.

Not a day passes that I am not a better man for knowing you. Merry Christmas "Boo"

The Boo may be gone but is certainly not forgotten. His legacy lives on the the thousands of lambs whose lives he touched. We miss you Sir!

Today is his birthday, he was and still is timeless to me. I am who I am and continue to know who I am because of his leadership.

The Boo was one of the best business teachers I have ever had. In 1967 he conducted my first ever negotiations training. I learned the value of walking away from a deal that was too costly. I shall remember that lesson and The Boo always.

There will, of course, never be another like him. To us, seperated from friends and family by those spartan barrack walls, he was in a strange and indescribable way the real-life pulse of The Citadel. The 'Boo' presented as the dominating authority figure which the administration wanted, but we knew (as they didn't) that he recognized we were all rudderless teens and post-teens trying to make sense of a seemingly unforgiving system. The Col. was there for us when we needed him during and after our cadet years. I'm privileged to have known him both as the Assistant Commandant and as a mentor many years after graduation.

Godspeed Col...



Lee Aube, G Co, '64

Helen, it has been so many years since our days at Carolina and sadly our paths did not cross again as you went on to medical school and I to law school. I was saddened to learn of your Dad's recent passing. I too remember all the stories about him and I later gleaned even more when I read Pat Conroy's biography. My sympathy to you and your family.

I am indeed privileged to be one among the many that have known and loved the Colonel. I have experienced his wrath, his roar, his humor, his compassion, his gentleness and most of all his love. I cherish every bit of him that I experienced because it all challenged me to be a better person. It is with most humble gratitude that I bid him farewell.



Jim Plunkett ‘64

Boo, we didn't always see eye to eye but you were a good man and I know you loved The Citadel with all your heart. You will be sorely missed but your legend will live on.....your "lambs" will remember you, talk about you, and honor you for the rest of our lives.

To the family of the "BOO", my sincerest condolences. The "BOO" is the only person who could mold men by leadership and command the respect of all "bubbas", "bums", and "lambs" equally. Being gruff on the outside was just a cover for the warm and loving heart of all cadets and persons who knew him. It was a pleasure to know the man and to have been a "bum" as a senior private. Heaven will never be the same since he has entered. God bless and the memories will last forever, "BOO". The Citadel has lost possibly its greatest cadet.

Although The Boo has finished his last Parade and returned his last salute to us and his loved ones, his legend and the love and respect we all have for him will live on forever. I consider it a priviledge to have been one of his Lambs and to have kept in touch over the years with he and his lovely first wife Elizabeth who passed in Feb 1985. My wife Sharri was also a dorm mate with Helen at USC and she shares in our condolences to the Courvoisie family in their loss.



I'll always remember the cold chill I used to get down my spine as a cadet when I saw that green Comet stop, the window rolled down, and a voice as loud as a freight train yelling "Where do you think you're going Bubba?"



This was a man that would meet you head-on if you messed up -- you knew you had been caught -- and it was your responsibility to "fess up" or at least come up with something clever enough that might let him drop his tough exterior just a tad to see a hint of the caring "Boo" that he was.



And this was a man that would give you the shirt off his back if you were in need. I remember when I was in summer school (trying to catch up after my Knob year) and had my clock radio stolen from the barracks. Boo found out, put me in his Comet, and he spent all afternoon taking me to Pawn shops all over Charleston until we found that radio on King Street. He pulled out the money from his wallet and bought the radio back, gave it to me, and took me back to the barracks. That was the real "Boo" that some people didn't know about.



God's blessings and prayers go to the Courvoisie family. We love you all and will miss this special "big" man very much.



'64 T-Company

I am proud to have been fortunate enough to have been a cadet while the Boo was our Asst Commandant of Cadets. He is an institution within himself, and will be long remembered in the history of The Citadel. Dale Green class of '66

Dear Boo,

I'll never forget when you signed Pat's first book for me. You said,Chapman,your'e a better lamb than me! The Citadel has lost one of it's best people. May you rest in peace and don't scare the angels!!

Rest in peace, Colonel, you have earned a place in history few men will ocupy.

Thanks Boo for bailing me out so many times. Hopefully, all of your Lambs will join you. Henry "T" Sr. Pvt.

boo was there when i needed him and i needed him bad. he was my hero. and now, so long colonel, god speed. thanks for a job well done. you will always be in my heart and prayers. greg olney, i.co.sr.pvt.1969

The Boo is truely a great American and I was honored to have him as the TAC officer for the Protestant Choir in 1977.

Colonel, you were a legend in your own time. Your devotion to The Citadel was matched by none. We feared you, we loved you and we respected you. Your memory will live forever with the Class of 69.

The BOO meant so much to so many!

The Boo was someone who will always be thougth of as the heart of the Citadel, Hard, Strong, and Fair.

I have known but a few true leaders who could actually lead by example. Colonel Courvoisie earned our admiration and respect the old fashioned way, he "walked the talk".

The Boo was an imposing figure and confidant to the Corps. He was always there. Rest in Peace.

To the family of Mr. Courvoisie, my deepest sympathy. I got to know him far after his career at the Citadel was finished and remember thinking what respect his presence commanded. It wasn't until a few years after meeting him that I was told what a legend he was and it honestly came as no surprise to me. As I struggled through my studies at the College of Charleston, he would stop by my family's business and make sure I was on the right track to getting an education - always asking how my classes were coming along. I will never forget the caring blue eyes that held such warmth and humor in them and the encouragement that he gave me. He will be greatly missed.

Thanks for your support of this "Lamb" and his family.



Regt Band '69

The Boo was a man whom I both admired and feared. He was my Tactical Officer for a number of years at The Citadel. To his immediate family and to all Citadel men around the world please accept my most profound sympathy.

LTC, thanks for the donuts. They were a lifesaver knob year.

To the extended Courvoisie family I offer my heartfelt sympathy in the loss of a man among men. He will forever have an impact on The Citadel and the Long Gray Line.

As the only music scholarship guy and the cadet carilloneur (bell ringer)from 1964 until 1966, I was an oddity both at The Citadel and in Band Company. Col. Courvoisie kept a special eye out for 'lambs' like me--as gruff as ever, but I knew I was not just being watched, but also was watched over. I recognized him as a man of toughness and compassion at the time, and I cherish my vivid memories of him.

Ron Turner, Caroline King Ragan Professor of Church Music, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

To the Courvoisie family...many,many

years ago Corky and I were dorm

neighbors at Carolina so it was much

to my surprise that after graduation

I learned that the 'Boo' was her

father. Having attended summer

classes at The Citadel I had been

made aware of just who the great

man was and would stand in awe as

he walked around campus. However,

I met him up close and personal

one afteroon in 1970 when he

monitored my taking the

merit exam for the stete of

Hawaii. When I walked in and

saw him standing there I very

nearly fainted.But,oh,how I

wanted to work in Hawaii so

gritting my teeth I forced

myself to proceed under his

withering glance! Upon

completion I handed him the

paper with a quivering hand

when lo and behold he gave

me a grin and wished me

luck with my plans! As far

as I was concerned he had

put a blessing on my test,

and sure enough I passed

and off to my new adventure

I went.

A few years back Pat Conroy

spoke on campus,here,at UGA and

I took my little battered

paperbook he'd written about

the Colonel for him to autograph.

He was a bit surprised to find

this 'matron' standing there

until I explained that once

I'd been a beach girl with ties

to The Citadel as well!

There is no doubt that this

BC/Citadel man is now checking

the quad upstairs.Blessings

to him and my sympathy to you,

his family.

We will all truly miss the Boo, a man who was a father to us all and there when we needed him. Words can never express what this gentleman meant to us lambs/bums. God Speed Colonel.

Courvoisie and I were teammates on the 1934 and 1935 football teams. He played tackle and was outstanding at that position. Courvoisie was just outstanding. Ed.Parks Class 1938

Al and family, The Boo was one of a kind. I don't know if I learned more from him during Cadet years or after, reflecting on things he had said to me. The man with an amazing memory has gone to a better place. He will be missed here and welcomed there.



Deepest sympathy'

Ed Durham, Citadel '69

THE COL. HAD A GREATNESS OF HEART.

THE OLDER I GET, THE MORE I APPREACIATE HIS KINDNESSES.

Our love and prayers are sent to you, Helen, and your family. Momma is in North Carolina and just heard of your loss last night. Nugent and Daddy spent many a Saturday morning at our kitchen table and who knows how much time at your house. He was a good neighbor and friend to us and will be missed. Maybe he and Oren can continue their conversations now in a better place.

Love,

Virginia Herring Saunders

It was an honor to be one of his "lambs". I will miss him.

Band 68

MAY GOD'S BLESSINGS BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

JOAN D. WHITLOCK

SPARTANBURG, S.C.

The Boo's roar, his humor and his compassion will stick in my memory forever. The classes before and after his tenure as Assistant Commandant were somehow shortchanged, for he truly WAS The Citadel.

Helen and Al, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. Although we seldom saw each other, I have fond memories of my visit to the Citadel and crabs on the patio! Let's keep in touch.



Patty McCarthy Mulnix

The BOO demanded excellence and required us to honor the 'CITADEL CODE', however, when a LAMB was hurting or needed help the BOO was always there to care, support and give guidance. The BOO is missed.



One of his 'Original LAMBS' - Jackie Wear - G Comp. Class of 1963

It is with deepest sadness that I learned of the Lt.Col.'s passing. As the granddaughter of a member of the Class of 1907, I grew up on the grounds of the "new" Citadel and was honored by meeting "The Boo" on several occassions. I can honestly say he put the fear of God in this "Bubba" on my first meeting. I will always cherish our chats! I knew I was "home" and welcomed when I received a handshake. It is with sadness that I realize those days are now gone. Our future Cadets could never understand what all this man gave to his "Lambs" and their lives will go lacking with his passing. You, his family and "Lambs" are in my prayers.

We need a "God" like Courvoisie! It would make the world a better place to live and all our tomorrows worth the effort. I owe my life and career to this man, a gift my family and I will never, ever forget.

Next to my father, the Boo, was a huge influence in my life. He was a caring and giving man wrapped in a gruff exterior. None of us can repay what he gave us. My deepest sympathy to his family, may he rest in peace. All of us were lucky to have known such a wonderful human being.

In the 160+ years of this great institution, perhaps no mortal has succeeded in pulling together generations of cadets in the manner of the "Boo." Two of my younger brothers received Courvoisie scholarships. He touched so many lambs and lives on in each of us as a second father. We will celebrate his life for years to come. Tommy McQueeney, Class of 1974

In our lives, we only get to know a few great men. I am proud to say The Boo was one of the greatest. I am a "lamb" and always will be.

With thanks for all you meant to so many of us. May God grant you "Memory Eternal"

Jim Gordon "R" '69

I'm blessed to have known "The Boo."

The Boo will be greatly missed by all Citadel men. Especially all who were cadets while he was assistant commandant.

Al, my deepest sympathy to you and your family. The Boo was a great part of my life and inspiration to me always. I was one of his original lambs or "goat" as he sometimes refered to me. Just a note of humor....when I introduced my wife, Margaret, to him, his reply to her, "Girl, you should receive the Congressional Medal of Honor marrying this bum." I sure did love him and will miss him. Respectfully, James E. Creech, Class of 1961

From a Bum who was never caught. That was what he wrote in my copy of The Boo. May he rest in Peace.

GODD BUY OLD FRIEND--I WILL CHERISH THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN IN THE ARMY OF OUR DEAR SAVIOR

Al, our deepest sympathy for you and the family. Through discipline and love the Boo molded many Citadel men. I'm blessed to be among them.

Hollis & Candy Wilson '69

Col.Boo was "One of a Kind". He was a favorite of the "class of 63".He attended many of our functions.It was an honor to be in his presence even though sometimes it meant "tours".

I join thousands of Citadel alumni who will miss The Boo. He kept me on my toes, as well as walking tours on the quadrangle, during my cadet years. He gave me valuable guidance upon my return to this country from an extended overseas mission. The Colonel inspired me, and I am proud to have been his wandering lamb.



Ronald Allan Charles, Class of 1965

I suspect that when we arrive at the Pearly Gates, the Boo will be there waiting,sorting the "Lambs" and "Bums", and the "Bubbas". I wonder if heaven will now have Tours? Boo, I will miss you. Steve Veyera, R company '75.

The Boo was one of few Heros I have known in my life time. I will miss him each day of the rest of my life realizing the great and lasting impact knowing him has had on my life. I am sure that the next time we meet I will have a few "Tours" to walk - Rest in Peace.

Michael T. Selders

6Bravo9

The Col was one of my dearest friends and had been for over 45 years. I consider myself lucky enough to have been one of his friends, and that I got to be with him on Sunday, the 30th. I had a wonderful visit with both he and Helen. The Boo has been the “Soul” of The Citadel, for generations of Cadets and Alumni, the embodiment of all that is good and pure about The Citadel. He gave our school all of his love, sweat and devotion, all of his life from the time he went there, till the time last Sunday when we lost our Citadel treasure, Lt Col T. N. Courvoisie ’38 “The Boo”

My deepest sympathies and prayers for you and the family. I have many fond memories of the Boo during my time at The Citadel and can still hear him calling me "Bubba".

To die completely, a person must not only forget but be forgotten, and he who is not forgotten is not dead. Samuel Butler (d. 1902), “Death” Note-Books(1912)



I write to celebrate the life of Lt. Col. T.N. Courvoisie '38 (The Boo). If ever a man influenced me in a short period of time for a longer period of my life that man was “The Boo.” In the four years I suffered at The Citadel that man was a smile on the face of discipline. He was the heart of a school that would tell you it had no heart. I write to honor his memory. By some standards I would say that I hardly knew “The Boo” at all. I knew he had a son who was a classmate. I knew him in the context of Assistant Commandant of Cadets and I knew him a little as warehouse guard.



Greatness in a man is measured by the men that admire him. I am honored to be in the best class The Citadel ever produced. The men in our class whom I revere loved “The Boo” as intensely as I have. We all have story’s to tell about this extraordinary man, some funny, some sad. But the common denominator of the stories is always the man himself. He was and will be remembered as a legend. He was too big for life. His sense of humor, his compassion and his love of The Citadel are of epic proportions. I am honored to carry his memory within me. I am a better man for having known Lt. Col. T.N. Courvoisie “The Boo”. God Bless him



Rich Riel

The Citadel

Class of “69”

San Diego, CA.

The Col was one of my dearest friends and had been for over 45 years. I consider myself lucky enough to have been one of his friends, and that I got to be with him on Sunday, the 30th. I had a wonderful visit with both he and Helen. The Boo has been the “Soul” of The Citadel, for generations of Cadets and Alumni, the embodiment of all that is good and pure about The Citadel. He gave our school all of his love, sweat and devotion, all of his life from the time he went there, till the time last Sunday when we lost our Citadel treasure, Lt Col T. N. Courvoisie ’38 “The Boo”

The Boo will be greatly missed. I will never forget the encounters which I had with him during my time at The Citadel (1958-1962).

Helen and family, My deepest sympathy. I visited your parents during our stay at USC. Remembering you and them with wonderful thoughts. Always, Mary Jo

We are so sorry to hear of Lt. Col. T. Nugent Courvoisie's passing. He was a great man and will be missed. Our condolences to his family.

Frank Price, Class of 1963

COL Boo was a great man and he will be sorely missed. I am eternally grateful for his kindness toward me when I was young. I was proud to be his friend. Pat Shull, '75

The Boo has answered his final reveille. He affected the lives of all those who came in contact with him, including generations of cadets who hold his memory dear. His legacy endures in each of us who knew and loved him and his legendary passion for his alma mater sustains us all.



Farewell Boo, we are all better men for having known you and The Citadel is a better place because of you.