KAHULUI — Christopher P. Sweet, a 1999 Maui High School graduate who died last week in a noncombat incident in Iraq, was remembered yesterday as a good person and one who would take his ailing father to the doctor when he came home to Kahului while on leave from the Army.

"He was quiet ... never caused trouble," said Cindy Natividad, manager of Luana Gardens, where Sweet and his family lived for more than 10 years.

Natividad, who saw Sweet grow up, said his family moved away from Maui around three years ago to join Christopher, who was already in the service. She said the Sweets did not have any family here on Maui.

Natividad called Sweet's death "so sad" as she looked at a recent photo of the 28-year-old specialist, who died Friday in Kirkush, a military training base northeast of Baghdad.

The military said it was investigating the death. No further details were released yesterday.

Sweet was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 172nd Separate Infantry Brigade in Grafenwoehr, Germany.

According to an Internet report in Stars & Stripes, the military newspaper, Sweet died less than three months into a yearlong mission to Iraq.

In the report, Capt. Justin Wegner, 172nd Rear Detachment executive officer, said the death is the first suffered since Sweet's unit deployed to Iraq in late November. A memorial ceremony will be held Tuesday in Grafenwoehr. Sweet is the fourth Maui man to die while serving in Iraq.

Sweet is survived by his mother, Christina Sweet, his father, Peter Sweet, and his brother, Kyle Sweet, according to a memorial statement sent via e-mail from an Army media and community relations office in Germany.

Christopher Sweet enlisted in 2006. His first assignment was to the Republic of Korea as a motor transport operator for Alpha Company, 602nd Aviation Support Battalion.

Natividad said she remembered Christopher Sweet coming home to Maui from the Army to see his parents and his younger brother.

While at home, Christopher Sweet took his father to the doctor because he had a hard time walking and frequently needed medical care.

Natividad recalled Christopher Sweet as a skinny kid who put on weight during high school, but came back from the Army in good physical shape.

Luana Gardens maintenance workers also remembered Christopher Sweet, who dutifully washed clothes in the machines near the maintenance room and said "hello" in passing. The workers remembered the family, including Peter Sweet, sharing stories about his days in the Marines.

A memorial statement from the Army said Christopher Sweet was a "quality soldier."

"His presence will be missed by all the soldiers of the Task Force Black Knights. His dedication to his duty, to his family and to his faith were an inspiration to us all," it said.

Sweet's awards included the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.