Family grateful as Winthrop Harbor soldier honored at funeral

Funeral services were held Tuesday for a 28-year-old soldier, formerly of Winthrop Harbor, who died in Saudi Arabia.

Army Sgt. 1st Class David G. Robinson was supporting Operation New Dawn, the U.S.'s Iraqi rebuilding effort, when he died Oct. 25 in Riyadh, officials have said.

Details of his death have not been made available, but family members have said they were told it was a noncombative situation.

Robinson, who leaves behind a wife and two children, was on his second tour of duty in the Middle East, when he died. He was based in El Paso, Texas.

Dennis Robinson said his son joined the Army in 2003 in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

His family has released the following statement:

“Our family appreciates the wonderful outpouring of support we have received from our family, friends and neighbors.

David will always remain a hero in our eyes, because he chose to stand up for his country at a time when we all needed him the most.

He will forever be held in our family's honor as a

true patriot, and in our hearts as a loving son, a humbled and caring husband and an awesome father.

Thank you for this opportunity to share David's memory with our community.

Although we are very grateful for the outpouring of support, we prefer to keep our family's observances for David private.

We appreciate your consideration during this time of our deepest sorrow.”