Army Specialist Robert Michael Rieckhoff, 26, of Kenosha, Wisconsin was killed on Thursday, March 18, 2010 in Baghdad, Iraq. His unit had been attacked by rocket-propelled grenades. He was assigned to Battery Brovo, 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), out of Fort Drum, New York.
The Kenosha News via their Website related that Specialist Rieckhoff was at guard duty in a watchtower when attacked. He had typically done artillery work, but was on guard duty because his group was waiting to return home in June. Rieckhoff was on his second tour of duty in Iraq. He had also served in Kuwait. The paper went on to note Rieckhoff had just re-enlisted for five more years in the Army. Specialist Rieckhoff also had been promoted to sergeant which was just about to take affect. The family was quoted as saying Robert had helped train the Iraqi Army. He was due to come home in June of 2010 around the time of his 27th birthday. He had just bought a Dodge Charger.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel mentioned that Robert was nicknamed "Bubba" as a kid. Rieckoff had joined the military when he was 18 years old. Robert was remembered as a practical joker and someone who could make people laugh, and Robert also frequently reminded everyone he had sidestepped trouble by joining the military. Rieckhoff had joined the Army Reserves in 2002 after graduating from Tremper High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin. At a later date he went on to join the Regular Army. The Journal Sentinel also said that while in the Reserves, Robert worked at a Pizza Hut in Kenosha. While in Iraq, he constantly communicated with his family by telephone and e-mail.
The Web site findagrave.com notes that Robert Rieckoff was born on June 6, 1983. The obituary posted on the site made reference to Robert's ability to, "...always there for his fellow soldiers if needed and during tense times he could quickly liven everyone up with his quirky sense of humor."
The Web site militarytimes.com using information from the Associated press notes that at the time of his death Robert Rieckoff's had an 8-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter.
At the time of his death Robert Rieckoff was survived by his children Tyler, and Katrina, of Tennessee; sisters Sheila Sartorius, Kaszaray Rieckhoff , Jolene Garwood, and Cathy Garwood; brothers Roland Garwood III and Bobby (Becky) Garwood; father Scott Rieckhoff; mother Barbara Garwood; stepfather Roland Garwood; maternal grandmother Judith Nelson, his paternal grandmother Sue Rieckhoff, maternal grandfather Wayne Anderson; uncle Bruce Anderson; and, nieces, Alexis and Jasmine Sartorius.
Army Specialist Robert Michael Rieckhoff was laid to rest at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Information for this short biography about Army Specialist Robert Michael Rieckhoff was pieced together from the following sources: kenoshanews.com, "Local soldier dies in Iraq,";Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Family honors memory of 'Bubba,' soldier killed in Iraq," March 20, 2010; findagrave.com, "Spec Robert Michael Rieckhoff," March 20, 2010; projects.militarytimes.com and Associated Press, "Army Spc. Robert M. Rieckhoff," AP articles, "Kenosha soldier killed in grenade attack in Iraq," "Soldier ‘became such a man’ in the Army, "Flags lowered in memory of Rieckhoff," "Friends, family say final goodbyes to fallen soldier"; Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs “Fallen Heroes Page”; and, CNN.com “War Casualties Page.”
Note: This “Wisconsin Military Casualties Afghanistan Iraq Compilation” Daily Dadio blog Category is under construction. Go to the Cooldadiomedia Web site and the Wisconsin War Casualties Page for a list of names noted by date of death.
[ If readers know of other military service persons with Wisconsin connections that are not on the Web site comprehensive list of fatal casualties, or notice errors, please email Bob Keith at keithrg13@cooldadiomedia.com ]
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