Robert F . McDermott Brigadier General Robert Francis McDermott ( July 31 , 1920 – August 28 , 2006 ) was the first permanent Dean of the Faculty at the United States Air Force Academy , and later served as Chairman and CEO of USAA . He is often referred to as the " Father of Modern Military Education " for his contributions to that field . Education . McDermott graduated from the Boston Latin School , attended Norwich University , and in 1943 , graduated from the United States Military Academy . In 1950 , he earned a master of business administration degree from Harvard Business School , and later earned a doctor of laws degree from St . Louis University . Air Force Career . General McDermott served as a combat pilot and operations officer of a fighter - bomber group in the European Theater during World War II and as a staff officer in a theater headquarters and in the Pentagon . His combat decorations include the Bronze Star , the Air Medal with five oak leaf cluster s , the Distinguished Service Medal ( Army and Air Force ) , and the Legion of Merit . He was appointed by President Eisenhower as the first permanent professor of the United States Air Force Academy in 1957 , and as the first permanent Dean of the Faculty in 1959 . His promotion to brigadier general that accompanied his appointment as dean made him the youngest general or flag officer on active duty at that time . General McDermott has emerged as a recognized leader in higher education and pioneer in military education . The innovations he introduced in the service academy system of education included the " whole person " concept in selecting cadets and a program of advanced and elective courses to enrich the prescribed curriculum . The concept of using measures of a candidate ' s moral and leadership attributes as well as physical and mental qualifications for selection was introduced in 1956 , for the first time at any service academy . Also in 1956 , as another service academy first , General McDermott introduced a comprehensive curriculum enrichment program designed to provide each cadet with a challenge to advance academically as far and as fast as possible , in accordance with the cadet ' s aptitudes , interests and prior preparation . General McDermott laid the groundwork for the establishment of an Astronautical Research Laboratory and an extension of the enrichment program to include graduate education opportunities for exceptional cadets . He was credited with introducing about 30 academic majors to the Academy and bringing a degree of flexibility to curriculum requirements . Post - Air Force . McDermott wrote books on finance for service personnel , which attracted the attention of USAA President Charles Cheever and in 1968 , McDermott retired from the Air Force to join USAA and become its Chief Executive Officer . Under his leadership , USAA grew from the 16th to the 5th largest insurer of private automobiles in the nation and the nation ' s 4th largest homeowner insurer . A " Washington Post " obitutary explained : In September 1993 he assumed the position of chairman emeritus . McDermott also played a significant role in the community of San Antonio , Texas . In 1974 , he was elected chairman of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce . In 1975 , he founded the Economic Development Foundation and served as its chairman until 1980 . In the 1980s , he focused on the developing of biotechnology in San Antonio , and founded the Texas Research and Technology Foundation which began development of the Texas Research Park . In the mid - 1990s he was chairman of an investor group that purchased the San Antonio Spurs basketball team for $ 85 million . Awards and recognition . Testaments to his lifelong interests in education are an elementary school and a Clinical Science Building of the University Health Science Center which bear his name . A grateful community designated a section of Interstate 10 in Texas running through San Antonio between I - 35 outside of Downtown to Loop 1604 as the McDermott Freeway in recognition of his many initiatives as a pioneer civic entrepreneur , both in education and economic development . Academic chairs in his honor have been established at the United States Air Force Academy and the United States Military Academy , and the library at the Air Force Academy also bears his name . For his leadership in business , he was selected to the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 1987 and the American National Business Hall of Fame in 1989 . In 1993 , West Point selected him to receive its Distinguished Graduate Award . In 1994 Fortune selected him as Laureate in Junior Achievement ' s National Business Hall of Fame . In 1996 , the International Insurance Society inducted him into the Insurance Hall of Fame . In 1998 , he was awarded the Harvard Business School ' s highest honor , the Alumni Achievement Award , as a tribute to his accomplishments at the Air Force Academy and USAA . He received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement in June 1999 . Death . McDermott died on August 28 , 2006 , in San Antonio at the age of 86 . He had suffered a stroke about a month earlier . General McDermott was eulogized by former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry G . Cisneros at the funeral , and interred at Fort Sam Houston United States National Cemetery on September 1 , 2006 .