An Oregon State University graduate was killed Saturday in Iraq when a roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle. Sgt. Sean Patrick Fennerty of Portland died near Al Anbar Province during combat operations.

Fennerty, 25, was a history major and a 2004 graduate of OSU. He was also a member of Sigma Pi Fraternity, where he was known as a peacekeeper and a steady friend.

“Our fraternity was deeply saddened to hear the news of our brother Sean’s death,” said fellow Sigma Pi member Collin Brooks. “He was a good man and very well respected.”

Fennerty was born Feb. 2, 1981 in San Diego into a military family. After spending his childhood traveling with his family, he graduated from Jesuit High School in Portland in 1999.

After graduating from OSU, he joined the U.S. Army as an airborne soldier and was stationed at Ft. Richardson, Alaska, with the 25th Infantry Division.

On his MySpace page, which was filled with loving tributes from friends and family members, Fennerty talked about his future after the Army. He said he was torn between pursuing a master’s degree and becoming a history teacher, or running off to Colorado to be a ski bum. He also considered becoming an officer.

“A simple quiet life is all I hope to achieve and I’m well on my way to achieving it,” he wrote. “After doing a bit of studying and traveling, I decided to join the Army and don’t know whether it’s a lifelong thing or just another stint I get bored with and move on to the next challenge.”

Friends described Fennerty as fiercely loyal, with a memorable smile. He loved skiing, fishing and spending time with his friends.

He is survived by his mother, Mo, father, Brian, sisters Kelly and Colleen and brother Conor.