SEATTLE – First Lt. Robert Bennedsen was a star high school athlete and graduate of Seattle University. Now the community of Vashon Island is mourning the loss of the 25-year-old. His family just learned he died in Afghanistan.
"I would call him high energy. 60 miles an hour would not be fast enough for Robert," says his aunt, Bonnie Bennedsen.
His family says Bennedsen was larger than life. He was a wrestling and football star at Vashon High.
"His energy was terrific," says his grandmother, Betty Bennedsen.
His family says from an unusually early age, Robert was dedicated volunteer firefighter.
"He was the youngest person in the state of Washington to be approved to train other fireman, before he was out of high school. He was committed to public service," says his aunt.
That commitment and respect for his grandfather, a World War II pilot, led him to join the Army.
"He went down to see [his grandfather's uniform in the basement," says his grandmother. "Of course I told him, 'Robert when you're ready, you can have that. You can have his wings.' and he was very happy."
Bennedsen had just started his deployment in Afghanistan a few weeks ago when an ambulance in his convoy hit an IED.
"Robert got out of his vehicle to assist and see what he could do, and it was our understanding that he stepped on an IED," says Bonnie Bennedsen.
His family on Vashon Island just learned of his death last night. As fire stations on the island fly their flags at half staff, his grandparents proudly display theirs at their West Seattle home.
"It's hard to believe because it doesn't seem real," says his grandmother.
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