Turning raw Iraqi recruits into soldiers is just what Robert V. Derenda was cut out to do. He had a long military background and a psychology degree.

“Robert was the right guy because of his experience” — a “natural” at whipping young men into fighting shape, said Maj. Gen. Bruce E. Robinson. “His grounding was as a helper and mentor.”

Derenda, 42, of Ledbetter, Ky., died Aug. 5 in Rubiah when a civilian fuel truck collided with his vehicle. He was based at Rochester.

Derenda, a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo, was on active duty with the Army from 1986-91 and then joined the reserves.

Derenda, who returned to his alma mater for a chemical engineering degree, worked as a chemical engineer at Celanese Chemicals Ltd. in Calvert City for more than a year.

“He was a good person and a good worker,” said the company’s...