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Family Remembers "Delightful Boy" Save Email Print
Posted: 1:51 PM Feb 12, 2008
Last Updated: 10:55 PM Feb 12, 2008
Reporter: Mary Rinzel with Photographer Jeff Ralph
Email Address: mary.rinzel@weau.com

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"Matthew had a tremendous smile," Tom Huhn softly describes his grandson.

It's a smile that could be seen across a Trempealeau County courtroom Tuesday. Family members and friends filed in all wearing pins with Matthew’s little face on them. They read ‘gone but not forgotten.’

"The family is grieving no doubt, but thankful for the immense amount of support from the community,” Huhn says. “The outpouring from local and beyond has been phenomenal, but the hurt doesn't want to go away."

50-year-old Robert Kreibich is charged with driving drunk and hitting Matthew while he was sledding in his front yard. He's also charged with hit and run and driving without his license.

Tuesday, Kreibich waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

"This is devastating and will change a lot of lives," Huhn says.

He says those lives stretch throughout the community and to his grandson's preschool class.

"They have experienced a tremendous loss over there. His teacher and children are hurting," Huhn says.

People who's lives he touched, brought meals and memories, phone calls and firewood.

"It's incredible what the community can do for a family in need,” says John Leavitt, a family friend.
“The family wants to say ‘Thank you.’"

A thank you from a family that today can only cherish pictures and memories of a little boy with an angelic smile.

"Almost everyone has a Matthew story that could make you laugh,” Huhn says. “Matthew was a delightful little boy."

Robert Kreibich remains in the Trempealeau County Jail. He's scheduled to be in court again next month.

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Posted by: Samantha Location: Eau Claire on Feb 14, 2008 at 09:40 PM
I wonder if the family has contacted MADD. Maybe they can help keep this man off the street once and for all. I too send my prayers to the family, and I also agree that this isn't the place to blame the parents. People these days are all about free speech no matter how classless it is!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Wisconsin on Feb 14, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Hey Dennis - why don't you knock it off! He was not sledding into the road! His parents were there, his dad was outside with him! His family is hurting. Maybe you should be asking why this man hit Matthew and kept driving, or why didn't the man even try to stop when Matthew was trying to get off the road, or why was he driving. Don't you think his parents feel bad enough about what happened? Do you think you need to pour lemon juice on their open wounds? They will never get their son back, and Mr. Kreibich doesn't seem to care about that. So the next time you want to ask a question direct it at the person why deserves the blame and not at the parents. You have no compassion, because if you did you wouldn't post something about the parents below thier son's picture. I too send my prayers to this family. I am a mother, and I can't imagine the hurt they are going through right now. Please know not everyone is as thoughtless as some people have been when they comment on this tragic story

Posted by: Barb Location: Pepin co. on Feb 14, 2008 at 12:33 PM
How unfortunate that drunk driving causes so many heartaches. Unfortunately, it seems to happen a lot. Law Enforcement cannot begin to keep ahead of all the drunk drivers. That leaves all of us innocent people having to be extra cautious every time we are walking, biking, or driving. It's not fair to us, but I don't see an easy solution. When my daughters learned to drive they always told me that they are careful, but I had to reinforce that you have to watch the other people too. A friend was hit by a drunk driver at 8:00 a.m. on a weekday. It can be anyone at any time of the day. It's too bad that innocent people are paying a high price for this problem. God bless all those who have had to pay this price.

Posted by: pam Location: eau claire on Feb 13, 2008 at 11:20 PM
Just want the family of this little boy to know that people outside of their community are thinking of them too. We hold them in our thoughts and prayers. Also praying for the other family too, I am sure they are hurting too. May God hold everyone in the palm of his hand.

Posted by: dennis Location: rusk co on Feb 13, 2008 at 07:10 PM
? whyy was boy sleding towards road ?

Posted by: jerry Location: chipp-falls on Feb 12, 2008 at 09:43 PM
life in prison is a good deal here.

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