Sgt. 1st Class Robert V. Derenda dies in Iraq

Sgt. 1st Class Robert V. Derenda, Class of 85, died Aug. 5 when a civilian fuel tanker ran into the vehicle he was driving in Iraq.

A native of Cheektowaga, N.Y., Derenda, 42, attended The Citadel from August 1981 to December 1984.

Derenda majored in education and was a member of Bravo Company. Derenda went on to graduate from the University of Buffalo with a degree in chemical engineering. He was working as a chemical engineer in Paducah, Ky. before going to Iraq, according to his hometown newspaper the Buffalo News.

A drill sergeant, Derenda was assigned to the U.S. Army Reserve's 1st Brigade, 98th Division, Rochester, N.Y. He was stationed at a base in Al Kasik in northwestern Iraq and trained recruits for Iraq's military.