Tenzin "Josh" Samten

Tenzin Samten Obituary

SAMTEN, SPC. TENZIN L. San Diego native, Spc. Tenzin L. Samten (born Joshua Edmund Michael Rodriques), 33, of Santee, died March 12, 2008, in Tallil, Iraq, during an indirect fire incident. Best known locally as Josh, he changed his name to reflect his Buddhist beliefs. Born Nov. 16, 1974, Josh grew up in Santee and attended school in Lakeside. Inspired by his nephews in the Marines, Josh enlisted in the Army. He faced many obstacles, including his age and an injury, but Josh's dedication to his family and country helped him complete basic training. He graduated in Jan. 2007 and moved to Fort Eustis in VA. In Oct. 2007, Josh was deployed to Iraq; assigned to an escort team. Josh will be remembered as a free spirit, a practical joker, a proud soldier, a caring and loving soul, and a beloved son, husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca; children Dharma, Michael, and Jack; mother, Wanita Stolte of Santee; brother, Jeff Rundle of San Diego; and nephews, a niece, grand-niece, aunts, uncles and extended family. Josh was interred at Arlington National Cemetery March 24th. There will be a private memorial service May 3rd in Santee.

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Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on May 2, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Tenzin Samten

9 Entries

Ron & Ken Brown

May 29, 2017

Josh, It's been some time since you left us but you are never far from our thoughts! Rest in peace brother.

Amy Teeple

May 7, 2008

Zin, Ever since this was posted I've wanted to say something, but even now I am at a loss for words.

As I said at your service, you had a twisted sense of humor, but you were always someone to count on. I wish I took the time to tell you that while you were still alive.

I know that you will always be watching over us and for that I am thankful.

Jules and I will keep our promise and look out for your mom and Becca, but feel free to help out too. :-)

I miss you Zin.

Kathleen Huston

May 4, 2008

So many will remember you as the husband, father and hero soldier you became, but to me, you will always be Josh, the onery young boy I met when we first moved to Lakeside. I still laugh at the taco sauce indident and the freshly painted white walls, or the look on you face when I found out about the trip to TJ with one of my sons.
You will always in in my heart and my memories of a better time.
Love you,
Your other mom,
Kathleen

Juan Silva

May 3, 2008

To: Samten I can't believe that you were one of the people that died but I know that when you died you went out fighting cause that what we were train to do go out fighting to the last minute I am going to miss you cause I didn't lost a friend I lost a brother if Rebecca or the kids I'll bw here to give them a hand for anything that they need now you can Rest In Peace

Brandy Dean (Stolte

May 2, 2008

This boy I loved to hate! My memories will always be there and even though we faught like we were true blood brother and sister, I love you!

I will never forget the kind of person he could be when my big brother looked out for his little sister, yet how he loved to pick on me as well! I remember watching Friday the 13th, Halloween, and Nightmare on Elm St. at the Lakeside house with him and his buddies and then they would hide from me and scare the poop (sometimes pee) out me! He would hide under my bed and pretend he was Jason coming after me.

Good times they were (scary, but good)!! I remember other times when we first met at the Royal Garden apts., we used to run around at night with our remotes and turn all of our neighbors tvs on and then change them to the Playboy channel! Or when we came home with 2 mice of the same sex, oops too late, guess they weren't the same sex cause we had a few too many mice a couple weeks later. But it was fun hiding it from mom and dad.

And anyone who knows the story could also understand that because of Josh, I can NEVER touch a grapefruit now! Maybe that's why I get headaches so frequently now!

I never got to meet you Rebecca, but I love and pain goes out to you and your beautiful children!! I have some photos that I need to find for you from Christmas and what not.

Nita, I am sorry you have to go through this. Jeff, please visit, I heard you came in looking for me.

Tenzin Samten ~ Josh Bratt head brother ~ I love you and miss you darn it!!

WANITA STOLTE

May 2, 2008

TO MY SON, JOSHUA. I STILL CANT BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE GONE. MY HEART IS BREAKING. WE ALL MISS YOU SO VERY MUCH. I LOVE YOU NOW AND FOREVER. YOU TRULY DID US ALL SO PROUD WITH YOUR LIFE CHOICES AND BECAUSE OF YOU AND OTHER MEN AND WOMEN LIKE YOU WE CAN ALL ENJOY OUR FREEDOM. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE ON MY MIND AND IN MY HEART. AND I PROMISE YOU THAT I WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR BECCA AND THE KIDS IN WHATEVER WAY THEY NEED ME. AGAIN I LOVE YOU JOSH. REST IN PEACE TIL WE MEET AGAIN. LOVE MOMMY

Lisa

May 2, 2008

I'm sorry for your loss.

Carol & Don Morris

May 2, 2008

Words cannot express the symapthy that we feel for your loss. Thanks to Josh and all of the U.S. military for giving for our country. They will all be long remembered.

laura Pasqua (Bender)

May 2, 2008

I don"t know you, but thank YOU for my FREEDOM. May God hold you tight and be with your family at this time. GOD BLESS YOU!!

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