Nathan Krissoff remembered

Most things came easily to Nathan Krissoff.

He was an accomplished student, athlete and musician, said his friends, who attributed his successes to his tremendous focus and discipline.

Krissoff, a 1999 Stevenson graduate and first lieutenant in the Marine Corps, died Saturday in Iraq's Al-Anbar province while serving as a counterintelligence officer. He was 25.

His death was caused by an improvised explosive device, or IED, his family said. The Department of Defense has not officially stated Krissoff's involvement when he was killed.

A boarding student while attending Stevenson, Krissoff's family lives in Reno, Nev., and has a house in Carmel. While at Stevenson he competed in water polo and swimming, earning all-league honors and serving as captain of the swim team.

"He was a very special kid in many ways, not just intellectually, but musically, athletically and in his involvement in the community," said Rob Klevan, who coached Krissoff and directed him in the Stevenson orchestra. "He was just one of those gems... I've been teaching a long time, and he stands out."

Stevenson is flying its American flag at half staff in honor of Krissoff.

Peter Jamison, a high school friend, remembered Krissoff as a hard worker with a lighter side.

"Nate had a really quirky, dry sense of humor that I really appreciated," said Jamison, who now lives in Vermont. "He was very focused on things he did. He was an extremely disciplined person, but not in a way that came off as uptight. He always seemed relaxed."

Jim Fannin, Krissoff's junior varsity water polo coach at Stevenson who remained close to him, described Krissoff as a hard worker, a stand-up citizen and a community leader.

"He always had a great attitude," said Fannin. "He was not a guy you ever really saw down."

A member of the U.S. Junior National Kayak team, Krissoff went on to earn a degree in International Affairs from Williams College in Massachusetts, where he competed on the swim team, then spent a year living in Europe before joining the Marines in 2004. He was deployed to Iraq in September with the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion.

The Krissoff family released a statement that said the Marines "were his first priority... He was a tremendously loyal son, brother and American who made the ultimate sacrifice for the defense of his country."

From the Herald

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Nathan Krissoff reported killed in Anbar