He was engaged in the supply of F-16s: the name of the diplomat whose body was found in the Hilton Hotel was announced
15 July 2024 22:17
The American diplomat who died suddenly on 24 June at the Hilton Hotel in Kyiv was military adviser Richard “Rich” Harry Kirlin. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the American memorial website Legacy.
“Richard will be remembered as a determined, hard worker who supported his family, friends and country. He always had the best stories from all his travels and loved to try a wide variety of foods from around the world. He was always generous to those around him. He was a wonderful father, grandfather, brother and friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew him,” reads a tribute page on the website dedicated to Kirlin.
The man is survived by his daughter Kim and son Corey; seven grandchildren Marley, Mason, Magnolia, Abigail, Acadia, Abel and Jax; ex-wife Katrina; brother John (Monica) Kirlin and sister Sherry (Brad) Schmitt.
It is known that the farewell ceremony will be held on 18 July in Rogers (Arkansas, USA).
Kirlin had an extensive track record: service in the US Air Force, work in the field of information technology and logistics, close ties with the Central Command of the US Armed Forces (CENTCOM), work directly in the Pentagon and then in the State Department.
Kirlin was recently seconded to the US Embassy in Kyiv. He arrived in Ukraine 10 days before his death. According to media reports, he was dealing with the issue of F-16 deliveries.
In late June, the US Embassy in Ukraine confirmed the death of the employee, but did not name his name, area of work or cause of death.
Richard Harry Kirlin: what is known about the American diplomat who died in Kyiv
He was born in Slayton, Minnesota (USA), on 31 May 1967. While still in high school, he joined the Minnesota Army National Guard. In 1985, Richard graduated from Slayton High School and joined the United States Air Force on 11 October 1985.
He served at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana. Here he met and married Katrina Carver, and they had two children, Kim and Corey. He was then transferred to Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. Richard worked as a recruiter and then began working in IT for the security forces.
After transferring to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, Richard worked for General John Abizaid and General Tommy Franks. During his time in the Air Force, Richard was awarded the
- air Medal with 4 bronze stars;
- air Force Commendation Medal with 1 bronze star;
- expeditionary Medal of the Armed Forces;
- nCO graduate ribbon with 1 bronze star;
- medal “For Service in National Defence” with 1 bronze star;
- uS Armed Forces Overseas Service Ribbon with 1 bronze star;
- u.S. Army Commendation Ribbon with 3 bronze stars;
- the Southwest Asia Service Medal;
- korean Defence Service Medal;
- medal for Service in the Global War on Terrorism;
- uS Army Commendation Medal with 4 Bronze Stars;
- u.S. Army Commendation Medal with 1 bronze star;
- the US Armed Forces Service Badge for senior officers.
After 20 years of service in the Air Force, Richard Harry Kirlin retired on 31 July 2005. He has since served at the US Embassies in Nouakchott, Mauritania, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and most recently in Kyiv, Ukraine.
