Harlan Hellmuth Obituary

Eric Hellmuth died Tuesday, July 26, 2005, while scuba diving in the Black Sea off the coast of Constanta, Romania, during a recreation time while on a U.S. Army training exercise in Romania. He was born in Springfield, MO, on December 3, 1962, to Harry and Caroline (Hincke) Hellmuth. Eric graduated from Air Academy High School in 1982, and received his Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. He was working on his Masters at the time of his accident. He had completed the Army Scuba School and was an avid diver of many years. He loved to relate his diving trips, especially times he swam with the dolphins. In 1993-94, Eric became a reservist in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany. He became employed as a civil service employee, ultimately attaining the rank of GS-11 with the 266th Finance Command with NATO in the Heidelberg area, Germany. Master Sergeant Hellmuth served for 23 years in first the Marine Corps; and, then the U.S. Army. He served his country with competence and in glory in the Pacific, Near East, and Europe, seeing action in the Gulf War (1990), Bosnia (1996), and the Iraq War (2003). M/Sgt. Hellmuth helped set up V Corps Headquarters tactical operations center in Baghdad, and was Gen. Sanchez's aide-de-camp. One of the Military's most decorated; his highest award was the Meritorious Medal with Valor distinction which he received for his actions in the past Iraqi War during the fighting with the 2nd Armor from Kuwait to Baghdad. Eric is survived by his wife, Claudia, two stepsons, Bobby and Timmy, and his parents. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him, and by all with whom he worked. Swan Law is handling arrangements with burial at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado, on August 10, 2005 at 10:00 a.m.