Major Raymond Ruckpaul

Major Raymond Mark Ruckpaul was an armoured officer based at the NATO Allied Land Component Command Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany. He was serving in Kabul, Afghanistan with the Royal Canadian Dragoons as part of the International Security Assistance Force Headquarters (ISAF HQ).

A native of Hamilton, Ontario, he lived in Germany with his wife and their two children. He was the highest-ranking, Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan since start of operations in 2002.

Maj. Ruckpaul was described by family friends as a good-natured, loving person especially devoted to his children. An avid fisherman and athlete, he was remembered as a very dedicated career soldier with over 20 years service. He is survived by his wife Natasha, son Benjamin and daughter Mila; parents Rudy & Joan Ruckpaul and his sister Linda Campbell.