Robert Augustine Seidel III

West Point, 2004

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Ingrid Mezo on January 29, 2007:

Emmitsburg soldier mourned Catoctin High grad was well loved by coaches, community Thursday, May 25, 2006 by Ingrid Mezo Staff Writer Those who knew Lt. Robert A. Seidel III, a 23-year-old soldier who grew up in Emmitsburg and died in Iraq last week, remember him as a smart, funny person who got along with everyone. The news of his death on May 18 shocked the community. Seidel died with three other soldiers when a bomb detonated near their vehicle during combat operations in Baghdad, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. Seidel was a rifle platoon leader with the 2nd Battalion in the 22nd Infantry Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division, out of Fort Drum, N.Y. Seidel's family moved from Emmitsburg to Gettysburg, Pa., about three years ago, his brother, Stephen Seidel, said. "He was just a really outspoken, easy-going guy, who would do anything for anybody," Stephen, 20, said. "He could make you laugh over any serious situation - he could make you bust out, and could make you fall in love with him instantly. He just had that kind of personality." Stephen said his family had tried to prepare themselves for bad news about Robert, actually getting the news of his death last week was difficult. "It was a pretty big shock," Stephen said. "We tried to kind of expect that this could happen, but no matter how you try to work yourself up to it, once you get the news it's tough." Seidel came from a family with a track record of civil service. His paternal grandfather, Robert Seidel, had served as Emmitsburg town mayor from 1968-1970 and was a Korean War combat veteran. His maternal grandfather served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. His uncle, Ed Seidel, was a commissioner in Emmitsburg during the 1970s. "From a very young age, he just knew [the military] was his calling," Seidel's father, Robert Seidel Jr., said. "When both of the kids were growing up in Emmitsburg, we would bring them up to the battlefield in Gettysburg. Robbie seemed interested not just in playing around the battlefield, but in the actual battle. When he was 7 or 8 years old, he was interested in the sacrifice made by soldiers during the Civil War, and respected the fact that so many men went to death for the cause of freedom." Seidel, a 2000 graduate of Catoctin High School, graduated from West Point in 2004. Seidel played sports growing up, and was on the football and baseball teams at Catoctin High. He also liked playing basketball, his father said, and was an avid Red Sox fan. "He liked to listen to country music and hanging out with his friends and brother," he said. "He just stayed focused and kept his grades up. ... It's almost surreal. The kid was special - anybody that knew him would agree with that. He'll be remembered for the wonderful smile that he had." Seidel's baseball coach at Catoctin High, Tom Sherald, said Robert was the kind of person who shines without making anyone around him feel inferior. "He was just a very valuable player and person, not only with his physical skills, but also with his mental approach," Sherald said. "He was able to keep the team relaxed and things just didn't bother him." Copyright - 2006 The Gazette - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Privacy Statement

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