Family, friends and military colleagues describe the late Lt. Col. Christopher “Otis” Raible as a “top gun” aviator, a fearless leader and a hero.

The North Huntingdon Township man was killed while leading a counterattack against enemy forces on Sept. 14 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Norwin High School auditorium was packed Saturday afternoon for a public memorial service honoring the fallen Marine Corp colonel.

“(Raible is) a true American hero who joins a long line of Westmoreland County patriots who have died defending our way of life since the Revolutionary War,” said master of ceremony Charles W. Anderson, chairman of the board of Westmoreland County Commissioners and a retired Marine Corps colonel. “Mr. and Mrs. Raible, you have our sympathy and our thanks for your great sacrifice.”

Raible, 40, graduated from Norwin High School in 1990. He was a member of the math club, the Letter Winners' club, and a starter at defensive back for the Norwin Knights football team.

Former Norwin principal Ronald E. Peduzzi, a retired Marine Corps colonel, said he first met Raible at a school assembly in August 1987.

“He excelled in a tough academic environment,” Peduzzi said. “He died as he had lived, totally involved.”

Flags at district buildings were lowered to half-staff through Saturday in Raible's honor. Township firefighters hoisted an American flag with their fire trucks at the entrance of the high school parking lot.

Raible earned a degree in civil engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 1995. He posthumously received an alumni award for distinguished public service.

His numerous military honors include the Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and he will receive a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, Combat Action Ribbon and an Air Medal with a Strike 15 Award.

Marine Lt. Gen. Jon M. Davis, U.S. Cyber Command deputy commander, served with Raible and watched his military career develop.

“Chris Raible was one of the finest young Marines I ever came across,” Davis said. “He was an example of excellence for all who knew him, and still serves as an example of excellence today. He was truly exceptional.”

U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, called Raible “a natural leader” who “so loved and was loved by his family.”

Friends shared amusing stories about their times with Raible, and told how they will remember him.

Raible's cousin Duane Raible said Saturday's memorial was a great comfort to the family.

West Mifflin Air Force JROTC Color Guard presented the colors, and draped Raible's military uniform on a black cross that stood on stage between an American and Marine Corps flag. A Terrible Towel also was placed on the cross near some of Raible's medals.

Two of the most emotional portions of the service were video tributes. One showed Raible's military coffin, neatly draped with an American flag, being transferred from an aircraft onto a vehicle at Dover Air Force Base in Maryland along with fallen comrades Army Spc. Genaro Bedoy, Pfc. Jon R. Townsend and Sgt. Bradley W. Atwell.

A second tribute by Raible's cousin Tina Bieda featured photos of family and military colleagues set to music and graphics, bringing many in attendance to tears.

Norwin Select Orchestra performed “America the Beautiful.” Norwin junior Katie Kratzenberg sang the national anthem. Chaplain Maj. James E. Reiter of the Civil Air Patrol's Pennsylvania Wing Group 1 gave the invocation and benediction. Norwin Middle School teacher Fred King sang “Amazing Grace.”

The district also established the Christopher K. Raible Scholarship Fund at S&T Bank along Route 30.

Raible is survived by his parents, Al and Kim Raible, his wife Donnella and their children Catherine, Allison and Brian, and by his sister Lona Bosley and her husband Dennis, niece Lauren, and nephews Matthew and Jacob.

Michael DiVittorio is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1965 or mdivittorio@tribweb.com.

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