Shawn Michael Suzch

United States Army Sergeant First Class Shawn Michael Suzch passed away on March 10, 2008 due to injuries he sustained while in the line of duty.

Suzch was born in Trenton, New Jersey and spent parts of his childhood between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He was raised by two sets of amazing foster parents, Tom and Kathy Higgs and Rick and Abby Pforter, who helped him become the man he was and inspired his goals and dreams. Throughout his youth, Suzch loved to play basketball and build and repair various household items. He helped build the deck of the Pforter house with Rick and his foster brothers. Later on when he was stationed in Germany, Suzch and his wife, Angela, met while they were each out with friends. After being introduced by mutual friends, the pair were instantly inseparable.

Having had an admiration and love for his country, Suzch enlisted in the US Army in September of 1994. He valued the relationships he made as well as considered his military brothers his second family. Suzch’s main goals in his career were to continue to grow, become the best version of himself, and be a role model for his soldiers. Additionally, he wanted to climb the ranks, which he was on a fast track of doing, having been promoted to Sergeant First Class and on his way to the 19K MOS. In 2008, while deployed in Baghdad, Iraq, Suzch and five of his soldiers were the victims of a suicide bombing. All six men tragically succumbed to the impact of the explosion.

Angela currently resides in Michigan with her daughter, Alyssa. She and Suzch have a second child, Jay, who passed away when he was just shy of one year old due to complications as a result of being born prematurely. Angela and Alyssa love to travel together and spend time with friends and family. Additionally, Angela is a first responder for a private ambulance company and for her local fire department. In the future, she is excited to obtain her Medic and continue to watch her daughter grow. The donation of a mortgage-free home from the Tunnel to Towers Foundation is lifting a great deal of financial stress off of Angela’s shoulders. She plans on using the funds she would otherwise use for her mortgage to help her daughter fulfill her dream of becoming an Orthodontist. Shawn and Angela were soulmates and she keeps his legacy alive through the stories she tells of him. He touched and left a positive impact on countless people’s lives.

United States Army Sergeant First Class Shawn Michael Suzch is survived by his loving wife, Angela, and his daughter, Alyssa. He is predeceased by his son, Jay.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage of the Suzch family home through the Gold Star Family Home Program.