Specialist Bobby Body

Military Branch: United States Army
Location: Michigan
Build Completion: June 28th, 2023

Bobby was born in an army hospital into a military family. The early years of his life were fraught with trauma, which led to Bobby and his sister to spending their pre-teen/teen years in a military orphanage. After graduating High School, he was accepted to Ferris State University where he studied Criminal Justice and played on the school’s rugby team.

Following the attacks on 9/11, Bobby was compelled to serve his country and joined the United States Army. In July of 2005 his unit was deployed to Habbiniyah, Iraq where he participated in grueling daily missions for 17 – 20 hours as an infantry soldier. While on a routine mission on February 12, 2006, his Humvee was stuck by a roadside bomb, blowing the door directly into his body. Bobby was medically evacuated stateside where he spent the next year rehabbing his left shoulder and undergoing 18 surgical procedures to save his leg.

Unfortunately, his body rejected the foreign materials and Bobby and was forced to make the arduous decision to move forward with an above the knee amputation of his left leg. On September 9, 2013 he was admitted to an amputee clinic where he was expected to spend three to five months in recovery and rehabilitation, his tenacity and determination allowed Bobby to walk out of the clinic, with a new prosthetic leg, after only seven weeks.

With the help of his wife Erin and his children, Bobby continues to fight and make amazing strides. Bobby is a certified peer support specialist, counseling other veterans and amputees with PTSD to help them overcome their obstacles. As part of his treatment, Bobby turned to the gym and found his new calling on the powerlifting platform, earning five national and two world records.

Bobby and his family previously lived in Michigan in a home where stairs are dangerous obstacles, showering is perilous, and the absence of accessible features can lead to further injuries and daily difficulties.

In June 2023, Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors and national partners were honored to hand over the keys to a custom, 100% accessible, mortgage-free home to SPC Body and his family. This home will ease the SPC Body’s and his family’s daily challenges while allowing him to feel safe and secure and enjoy powerlifting in his own home.

MESSAGES FROM SUPPORTERS

  • Mary Weber
    on November 22, 2022, 6:41 pm
    Hello - I am a staff writer for the Alcona County Review. I understand you are getting a Jared Allen's Home for Wounded Warriors built in Harrisville (Alcona County). I would very much like to write about this in the local paper. You are an inspiration and we welcome you to our area. Please contact me at [email protected].
  • Ken Bell
    on June 1, 2022, 10:15 pm
    Hi Bobby, we've met before way back in 2008 when I organized and led a group of bikers grateful for you service and sacrifices who raised a few dollars to assist your return from serving. It was before your amputation and then you came to my house in Yorba Linda, CA when I was leading a toy ride. At that time I was with California VTX Riders but I had to move and ended up in Texas. I'd be honored to reconnect with you. So happy with what an awesome inspiration you've become.
  • Jeanna Stallkamp
    on February 12, 2022, 11:41 pm
    Continue to positively affect those around you with your infectious smile, your encouragement, and living in strength both mentally and physically.
  • Rick LaFay
    on February 12, 2022, 8:15 pm
    Bobby.... thank you so much for taking such good care of Erin. Glad to see your speedy recovery from all the body work you have had done. lol. Hope you and Erin are well and doing great. Have a great one. Sincerely, Rick
  • Angela Cain
    on February 12, 2022, 4:40 pm
    Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. May God bless you and your family.
  • Molly
    on July 7, 2021, 3:02 am
    Thank you for your brave service for this country the United States of America??
  • Molly
    on July 7, 2021, 3:00 am
    Thank you for your brave service❤️??. You have an amazing family?
  • Denae Lewis
    on June 25, 2021, 1:31 pm
    Good morning Sir, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!! YOU ARE A HERO & YOUR STORY IS INSPIRING TO ME! I’ve been training for this fitness competition with HERs Magazine and I’m featuring your story on my Facebook to help get “WARRIOR VOTES” to assist with getting donations to build your NEW home!! IM WORKING HARD IT!! IM EXCITED THAT THESE DONATIONS GO TO OUR VETERANS TOO!!
  • Jan Hendrix
    on April 21, 2021, 4:06 am
    Thank you for your service and sacrifice. You are truly a hero...
  • Anita Pepper
    on April 19, 2021, 8:14 am
    Bobby, you are an inspiration to us all, and I am so glad for the wonderful things that have happened in your life (especially my friend Erin!). I hope the new home is completed soon and you and your family are able to move in. Wishing you all good things in your future.
  • Joe Meadows
    on April 17, 2021, 10:46 pm
    Thank you for your service and dedication to continue the fight. You always have a smile on your face. Col Joe Meadows
  • Wendy Cairelli
    on April 17, 2021, 10:08 pm
    Very proud to call you nephew-in-law! Hope to meet soon in person. Thank you for your service ❤ " Aunt Dee"
  • Tuan Nguyen
    on April 16, 2021, 3:57 pm
    I am looking forward to being a part of designing your new home! Thank you for your service!
  • George P Hunter
    on February 14, 2021, 3:23 pm
    Bobby, I'm extremely grateful for your sacrifice and service, and very impressed with your determination and will to persevere!! The world needs more Bobby Body's. Thank you Bobby!!
  • Aunt Wendy Hook Cairelli
    on February 13, 2021, 2:35 pm
    Thank you! I love you and I haven't even met you yet, Nephew-in-law! I'm so proud of you and my niece, Erin❤
  • Skip Spencer
    on February 7, 2021, 6:47 pm
    Hey Bobby, hope all is well! I didn't know you are a fellow Bukldog! We look forward to seeing you and Erin at a meet before too long! Skip Spencer
  • Robert Ortiz
    on September 29, 2020, 11:04 pm
    Thank you Bobby for your service to your country and for all the ways you help so many others! You are truly an inspiration! Best wishes & endless blessings to you always!
  • Jordan L.
    on August 20, 2020, 8:45 pm
    Thank you for your service!
  • Kelly Grady
    on August 20, 2020, 8:11 pm
    Bobby, it was such a pleasure meeting you via Zoom and hearing a little about your story. Thank you so much for your service and for being such an inspiration.
  • Cheryl Raymond
    on August 17, 2020, 12:35 am
    We miss you at our Silver Sneakers. ? I know you are working hard at getting back in the groove. God bless you and may this time pass quickly for you. Sincerely,
  • June Black
    on August 16, 2020, 5:52 pm
    CONGRATULATIONS BOBBY. WELL DESERVED HONOR
  • Ruth Anm Martin
    on August 16, 2020, 5:42 pm
    Bobby. You are an inspiration to everyone! Your dedication to your country is outstanding. So happy to read that you are going into social work. You will continue to make a difference in many lives. God bless you and your family. Hope to see you visiting Silversneakers again soon.
  • Jessica C
    on August 16, 2020, 5:39 pm
    So proud of you Bobby and grateful for all you have done. Keep up the great work ?
  • Debra leavitt
    on August 13, 2020, 3:15 am
    Thank you.. You are an inspiration.❤
  • Jan Giordano’s
    on August 11, 2020, 12:21 am
    Thank you for your service and sacrifice. What a wonderful gift for you and your family. Harrisville is a great town!
  • Jeri Moynihan
    on August 10, 2020, 10:56 pm
    I'm sorry we never got to meet you but we knew of you from Howard Savage. Vic and I were Howard and Larry's houseparents in the early 90s. We're happy that you're getting this home. Thank you for your service to our country, and for everything your doing now to help others.
  • PDC Jo Linda Cutler
    on August 10, 2020, 9:28 pm
    Bobby you are an inspiration for me and many others. Keep up the great work.
  • Chris & Mary Clark
    on August 10, 2020, 4:20 pm
    Bobby, we are soooo glad you survived this horrible ordeal, and so very proud of you! Thank you for your service, we love you buddy (and thank you for making Erin the happiest woman alive, you guys are a pure blessing to each other)
  • Jenn Gonzales
    on August 10, 2020, 3:50 pm
    Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do. Your service and your sacrifice was above amazing but many don’t know how you encourage others at the gym here at home also. You’re an amazing man and I am proud to call you my friend.
  • Sue Woodard
    on August 10, 2020, 12:18 pm
    Awesome news Bobby. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do in service for our country. What a difference you are making!
  • kerry lyn
    on August 10, 2020, 11:18 am
    Love you guys!
  • Howard Reparejo
    on August 10, 2020, 3:50 am
    You are an inspiration. Tank you for your service my friend.
  • John Hicks
    on August 10, 2020, 1:45 am
    Bobby and I grew up together, I am so proud of him well deserved brother.
  • Suzanne Offereins
    on August 10, 2020, 1:14 am
    Thank you for you for your service. No words can express the gratitude I feel towards you and your family. God bless you!
  • Todd Smith
    on August 2, 2020, 9:19 am
    Thank you for your service. I admire your courage, sir.
  • Glendal French
    on July 30, 2020, 4:44 pm
    God bless you and thank you for your service.
SAY THANK YOU TO Specialist Bobby Body

MEDIA COVERAGE

UFC PARTNERS WITH JARED ALLEN’S HOMES FOR WOUNDED WARRIORS

Brian Smith

Army veteran powerlifter Bobby Body eyes Paris Paralympics

Michael Rothstein

Jared Allen's nonprofit building home for Purple Heart recipient

Minnesota Vikings

Injured by IED in Iraq – Vet Becomes Champion Powerlifter with Only 1 Leg

War History Timeline

'I wasn’t going to allow it to defeat me,' says disabled veteran setting new powerlifting records

Lansing State Journal

Michigan Veteran awarded National honor for service and overcoming adversity

WLNS

Michigan soldier named outstanding disabled veteran of the year

DAV

Find the strength to be a champion

DAV

VIDEOS

Key Ceremony

GFA 2015 – Bobby Body – Veteran of the Year
Bobby Body’s commitment to serve his country resulted in tours of duty with both the Marines and the Army.

 

DAV’s 2016 Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year – Bobby Body
DAV has named Bobby Body, a combat-injured, single-amputee veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, as its 2016 Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year.

 

Event Photos

Bobby Body Key Ceremony

Specialist Bobby Body Key Ceremony

Special Thank You