Getting through four years at RMC has always been tough.  It was particularly so in the late 1940s & early 50s.  WW II was only over four years; the Korean conflict was raging pretty well the whole time that 3031 Robin (Denny) Denman spent at the college.  

In a time period when few people could spell dyslexic let alone understand it, Denny was a cadet from Montreal.  Following is his personal account of some the memories of RMC and what he has done since graduating in 1953.            

Arrived at RMC still surprised at making the cut, having no athletic ability, obvious leadership qualities or school cadet experience.  Surrounded by wannabe pilots, engineers, tank commanders and admirals, being one of the few who opted for infantry was the clincher.  At least I could walk and hell, someone has to do the fighting!  At the first open house, Glen Tivy produced a gaggle of Kingston’s finest female to check out the action.  I found myself followed by a dark eyed tinker bell called Peggy.  A wonky appendix hospitalized me, but Glen tipped her off and we have been together ever since.

I missed the obstacle course, walked the Fort Henry run and lasted ½ round against Dillon in recruit boxing.  There was no easy way to pass off the Square.  A classic dyslexic with two right feet, Coggins finally gave me and the other klutzes our walking papers.  

Entirely uncoordinated, avoiding sports.  Dyslexics can't add, spell, lack memory and write like five year olds.  Arnold Edinburgh did all he could but Joe Thomas' advice helped.  "Denny you need a good quote".  I learned report writing from physics labs.  The efforts of my favorite Prof were not in vain, I am told my business report were quite creative.  Took the general course, concentrating on economics and math.  Other favorite professors were Preston and "The Owl."  

On graduation I switched from reserve to active service and arrived just as the Korean War ended. Korean troops were integrated into the Infantry Regiments and 1/3 of my platoon was locals, mostly farmers.  With occasional DMZ duties and what with practising rapid retreat (a game of musical frogs in which players leap backwards, hoping not to be caught on the ground) I saw a lot of the countryside.  

Home again, enrolled in Queens, and with no desire for a military career I requested a discharge.  Peggy became instantly pregnant and with no job or income I could only study, acquiring a B. Comm.  It was a wonderful year.  

Settled in Montreal and worked a couple of years for Building Products.  Moved to St. Lambert while seeking employment in Financial Management.  Again surprised to make the cut, and after a fast learn- on-the-job Royal Insurance decided to keep me.  They packed off to Toronto with the first referendum, and with a young family and a newly purchased home I took a stab as an analyst with a stock broker.  Bad idea.  Fled to a trust company with a pay scale that all but required embezzlement.  Landed on my feet as Investment Manager at Commercial Union Insurance where I stayed until retirement.  Along the way I went to Concordia (evenings) eventually emerging with an MA in economics.  

In 1974 Commercial Union joined the flight of capital from Quebec and this time we did the same, settling in Scarborough. Peggy became a Lay Reader and a constant visitor and Lay Champlain at the Nursing Home.  

Retired in 1989.  Member in a life industry Canada / USA investment committee; participated in an industry / government Study on Investment Accounting; did papers on Provincial Debt, Asset matching, and Investing in an inflationary environment; prepared study material on investments for Insurance Institute students; and a

 unsuccessful defense of the 'Legal list' versus the 'Prudent portfolio' for regulating the industry.  

I have had a lifelong interest in nature and published several articles on wild flowers. I’m a member of the Bruce Trail. Read history, natural history, philosophy, native people and the arctic. Peggy and I enjoy the cottage, beaching, camping, gardening and travel. Of course our main interest has always been family: five kids, nursing, army, clergy, blue collar and California. Peggy keeps track of the grandchildren.

UPDATE ON 3031 Robin Denman 

If you have read the preceding bio by 3031 Robin Denman you will soon realize he is a fine, sincere  gentlemen with a great sense of humour.  Robin, a walker all his life; had been a hike leader since about 1985 until quite recently.  He still hikes but not as a leader.  He prefers the Level I, more nature focused hikes than the athletic Level III’s.  

In his career he worked as an Investment Manager for Commercial Union Insurance.  He recently stated, “ Those were the good old days when investment guys were underpaid, did a good honest job and companies went broke because their basic operations were mismanaged”.  He went on to say, “Now investment guys are overpaid, do a poor dishonest job and companies go broke twice as fast because both their investments and their basic operations are mismanaged”.  

He was the first to put his hand up when Commercial Union offered a buyout in 1989.  In the early days of retirement his wife, Peggy, the same gal from his 1949 RMC days traveled a great deal in a Jeep Cherokee.  Car camping, canoeing and hiking took up most of their time.

Ever the environmentalist, in 2001 Robin took on big business and a major corporation to fight an expansion to a quarry on the Niagara Escarpment. He has spent many long hours writing letters and going to public meetings in Halton Region, Ontario. He was on the witness stand for a day and a half with a 60+ page presentation including maps, statistics and diagrams. His opponents knew they were in a battle!

Robin is very concerned about the destruction of the natural environment that quarries cause and the little concern they show for long-term ecological damage, not to mention the permanent scars they leave on the escarpment.  “We are living in a precious landscape but not enough responsibility goes into protecting it”, he states very firmly.  “The rehabilitation plans for the quarry look like a classic boondoggle”, he passionately adds.  He also concedes, “The Hearing Officers were very fair”.  The Hearings in question ended in August of this year, and the finding could be announced at any time.  “Whatever they are, there is sure to be an appeal, so who knows when I will be rid of this pest”.   

For a cadet who missed the obstacle course; walked the Fort Henry run; and only lasted ½ round in recruit boxing, he has proven to be a real competitor after all. One has to wonder if, Mr. Coggins, if not surprised, wouldn’t be, at least, proud of this self described klutz & entirely uncoordinated individual.  3031 always avoided sports at RMC but has proven over the years that the “big boys” do not intimidate him.  Not in his business career and certainly not in his retirement.  

 Classmate Joe Thomas, and Professors, Preston & “The Owl” knew a “real leader” right from the start!