PHOENIX, AZ, USA U.S. Army SSG, HHC, 1ST BATTALION, 68TH ARMOR, FORT CARSON, CO BAQUBAH, IRAQ 10/17/2006
One of Ryan E. Haupt’s aunts remembers when he entered the world at almost 12 pounds with long lanky arms and legs, and the bluest of eyes. He was destined to be tall and so outstanding. I so enjoyed seeing him turn into the happy and fun man that he was, said Marilyn Haupt-Howald.
Haupt, 24, of Phoenix, was killed Oct. 17 by a roadside blast in Baqubah. He was assigned to Fort Carson.
Ryan was a truly sweet, fun hearted person with such a love for laughter. He always made sure that he would get you busting up, said Kristina Howald, a cousin. He is truly my hero.
He was so full of life and suffered many of life’s disappointments but entering the Army was a highlight to his life. He overcame all the disappointments and was a man, said another aunt, Carol Lumpkin.
Anyone that knew him couldn’t help but love him. He had the most awesome personality and could just make you laugh. I will miss that, said Sharon Handley, who said she was like a second mother and who raised him from the age of 16 until he enlisted.
He also is survived by his wife, Nannette Byrne-Haupt.
Sergeant Ryan E. Haupt of Phoenix died in Iraq when a bomb exploded near his vehicle in Baqubah. Two other members of his battalion died in the explosion. Ryan, Sergeant Norman Taylor and Specialist Nathan Frigo made up a three-man sniper team that conducted more than 200 combat operations together while in Iraq. “They fought as a group, and they died as a group,” said Captain Scott Lynch, attack company commander. “We will always remember them as warriors, comrades, great soldiers who when the nation called, laid their life down.”
Justin Reyes, who served with Ryan in Korea, remembered his friend in an online guest book: “We had so many good times, it was easy to be yourself and laugh with him around. I’ll miss my good friend.”