Hometown: Smithtown, N.Y, Born in Stony Brook, New York but was A Long Island
native, Bruckenthal grew up in Hawaii, Virginia and Connecticut. Graduated from Herndon High School also
played football for Ridgefield High School during his teenage years and served on the town's volunteer fire department. He
left in 1995 after his sophomore year.
He was also a reserve police officer, continued as a volunteer firefighter,
emergency medical services responder, and a high school assistant football coach.
"Nate gave unconditionally and that is why he was so loved in this
community," says Neah Bay Police Chief T.J. Greene, "he did so much for our police department" and everyone knew of him.
Ed Gabbianelli, chief of the volunteer fire department, recalled him
as a very polite and responsible teenager. "He'd just jump right in with everybody," Gabbianelli said. "If we got a call to
go to a fire, he was right there."
“He was honored to do anything the Coast Guard asked him,”
said Daniel Burgoyne, a friend and fellow petty officer. “He was a true patriot and he loved serving his country.”
"When we were on deployments he would always tell stories about the dumbest
things," he said. "It was always good to have him around. You always could count on him for a laugh."
"He was a very fun-loving boy," says his father,
Ric Bruckenthal, "He was always a happy child and he turned into a happy young adult. We're very proud of what Nathan
did."
Petty
Officer Bruckenthal had been married two years, but missed both anniversaries because he was in Iraq. His wife, Pattie, was
three months pregnant with their first child at the time. Family members recall that he was excited about his impending fatherhood,
and he loved his wife. "He would never go anywhere without her," said
Burgoyne.
Petty Officer Bruckenthal is survived by his wife; Patti his father, Eric; mother, Laurie Bullock; and sister,
NoaBeth.
