Sioux Falls soldier dies in Iraq
Rolfing was in his second deployment to Iraq when he was killed. Rolfing, 29, was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group based out of Fort Carson, Colorado.
Born in 1977, Rolfing was a native of Milton, South Dakota. After graduating from Sioux Falls O'Gorman High School, he attended Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York and graduated in 2000.
At Vassar, Rolfing was a standout player on the soccer team. Andy Jennings coached Rolfing during his freshman season at the Division III school.
"He led by example, and you can't help but be attracted to that."
"He led by example, and you can't help but be attracted to that," says Jennings. "Very focused, goal-oriented in terms of his fitness. And he was a very good player."
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
Rolfing is still listed on the Vasser College Web site as the second all-time leading scorer for the soccer team, with a career total of 42 goals.
After college Rolfing joined the Army in 2003, training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Jennings says Rolfing took with him to the military the same intensity he displayed on the soccer field.
"Anytime you have a player that is that focused physically in a sport, that's going to generate a tremendous amount of respect," says Jennings.
Jennings says Rolfing was well liked by his teammates. He says Rolfing came back to Vassar at least twice for alumni soccer games after he joined the military.
His father, Rex Rolfing, says it was his son's dream to be a member of the Army's Special Forces.
Robb Rolfing served a tour of duty in Iraq, came back, and then graduated from the intense year-and-a-half of Special Forces training. Rolfing earned his Green Beret in 2005, and went back to Iraq in March 2007.
Rolfing is survived by his parents, Rex and Margie of Sioux Falls, as well as a brother and sister.
