Army Sgt. Richard A. Walters Jr.

Died August 10, 2009 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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41, of Cleveland, Ohio; assigned to the 14th Combat Support Hospital, Fort Benning, Ga.; died Aug. 10 in Ali Al Salem, Kuwait, of injuries sustained in a non-combat-related incident.

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Soldier remembered as devoted family man

The Associated Press

Growing up in the Cleveland area, Richard Walters’ passions included his hometown Browns football team and the popular rock band from the Midwest, Cheap Trick.

He was into the band so much that he once joked that anyone he dated also had to be a fan.

As an adult, he developed another passion: his family. His wife, Stephanie. His year-old daughter, Rachel. And his unborn daughter, Piper, due in December.

Rachel, whom he called Rae-Rae, recently received a gift from him while he was away. It was a video of him reading a story, which he often did for her when he was home.

“He was a family man — a devoted father,” said his brother, Greg. “His girls were his life.”

Walters, 41, collapsed and died in Ali Al Salem, Kuwait on Aug. 10, just before he was to head to Iraq. The 1986 graduate of Columbian High School in Tiffin, Ohio, was assigned to Fort Benning, Ga.

Walters, known to family and friends by his middle name, Allyn, was on his second military career. He was a Navy veteran who served in Desert Storm. Then, in 2006, he enlisted in the Army and became a licensed practical nurse.