Broken Bow man latest Oklahoman to die in Iraq war

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Dave Hendrickson looked forward to reuniting with his son, U.S. Army Spc. Robby Taylor Hendrickson, when the younger Hendrickson returned home from Iraq next month. <br/><br/>Their

Saturday, February 5th 2005, 4:18 pm

By: News On 6


OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Dave Hendrickson looked forward to reuniting with his son, U.S. Army Spc. Robby Taylor Hendrickson, when the younger Hendrickson returned home from Iraq next month.

Their reunion will now be for Robby Hendrickson's funeral.

Specialist Hendrickson, 24, of Broken Bow, died Tuesday after being injured when the military vehicle he was driving hit a barrier and toppled over. He lost consciousness after the crash and never recovered, family members said.

Robby Hendrickson had been in Iraq about a year at the time of the accident. He earned a Purple Heart award last year after a mortar hit near where he was standing, sending shrapnel flying toward his face.

He leaves behind his parents, Dave Hendrickson and Pamela Herrington, his sister, Krystal Bonner, and a 6-year-old son, Dylan.

``He was a good dad,'' Dave Hendrickson said. ``He did his best to do whatever he could for his son. He loved Dylan more than anything.''

Hendrickson prepared for his death. When he left for his deployment last year, he left behind the marksman and cavalry patches he had earned so his family would have something to remember him by.

He also decided what type of funeral service he would prefer, even selecting the songs to be played at his memorial.

Robby Hendrickson last traded Internet messages with his father on Sunday, saying he looked forward to going camping and doing other ``guy stuff'' with his father and son.

Dave Hendrickson said he would make sure his grandson grows up to know the kind of person his father was.

Robby Hendrickson attended high school in Del City and in Edmond before moving with his mother to Broken Bow. Dave Hendricksen says his son planned to return to school when he got back to Oklahoma and study to become a pediatric nurse.

Robby Hendrickson was a Philadelphia Eagles fan and planned to watch their Super Bowl matchup with New England and instant message his father over the Internet, the elder Hendrickson said.

``If I can make it happen, Dylan and I are going to watch the Super Bowl for his dad,'' Dave Hendrickson said.
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