San Marcos soldier dies in peace-keeping mission in Kosovo

A soldier who grew up in San Marcos died Thursday in a non-combat related incident while deployed to Kosovo, the Department of Defense said.

Staff Sgt. Conrad A. Robinson, 36, had been living in Los Angeles.

He was at Camp Bondsteel supporting Operation Joint Guardian, a long-term peacekeeping mission overseen by NATO. He was assigned to the Army’s 155th Medical Detachment, 261st Medical Battalion, 44th Medical Brigade, based at Fort Bragg, N.C.

He was working as a preventative medicine specialist, Army officials said.

His death is under investigation.

His mother told NBC 7 San Diego that he was found unresponsive in a chair before his regular morning workout.

“We’re extremely saddened by the death of Staff Sgt. Conrad Robinson,” battalion commander, Lt. Col. Kevin Kelly, told the Army Times. “Staff Sgt. Robinson was known around the battalion for his infectious smile, humor and kind heart. He was the definition of selfless service and took the time every day to listen and mentor soldiers.”

Robinson’s last Facebook post was March 12, when he let his friends and family know he had made it to Kosovo.

Robinson graduated from San Marcos High School, according to his profile. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters, his mother told NBC.

kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @kristinadavis