By Andrea Cordle
Westside Editor
Mike Suydam, his daughter Melanie and wife Kristine, pose next to the West High School World War II memorial plaque. The plaque now features Mike’s father’s name, Robert Suydam who was killed in action in 1944.
Those who have walked the halls of West High School may have noticed a plaque hanging on the wall. This memorial contains the names of West High alumni who lost their lives in World War II. But, that memorial plaque was missing a name – Robert Suydam.
Once the West Alumni Association learned of the error, they corrected it and added his name for all in the school to see. They held a special ceremony at the school in September.
Mike Suydam was just 3 years old when his father, Robert, was killed in action. Mike was born in Columbus and lived on South Hague Avenue when he was very young. He grew up in South Euclid and now lives in Mentor, Ohio.
Not knowing much about his father, Mike began looking into his family history. He worked with an investigative reporter to dig up information.
“I just wanted to learn more about my past,” said Mike.
Through his research, Mike discovered that Robert was born in 1913 and lived on Martin Avenue. He attended West High School, when it first opened in 1929. Robert graduated in 1932. He went to college and worked at a bank before he went into the service in March of 1944.
“There was such a time lapse between when he graduated and when he went into the service, I think that information just got lost,” said Mike.
Robert was killed in action in November of 1944, during the Battle of Huertgen Forest, the longest battle on German ground during World War II and the longest single battle the United States Army ever fought.
Mike attended the event to see his father’s name etched on the West High School memorial plaque. He brought along his wife, Kristine and daughter, Melanie.
“He should be up there, on that memorial,” said Mike.
Dorance Nichols Hornsby, president of the West Alumni Association, said she received a phone call this summer, saying Mike was searching for information on his father and wanted a yearbook photo. She was able to find a 1932 yearbook and decided to see if Robert’s name was on the memorial plaque. It was not.
Hornsby said it is difficult to keep track of all the school’s alumni. The association has added three names to the World War II memorial plaque.
“It is part of our history,” said Hornsby. “It is nice to remember our history.”
The school also has a memorial plaque for alumni who served and died in Vietnam.
Very nicely done, Ms. Cordle… It was an honor to attend at the request of our good friends, Mike and Kristine Suydam… – Jeff and Bev Frischkorn, Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio 44060.