Hawaii Army National Guard Sgt. Michael Geisler had served in the military for more than half his life and served two tours in Iraq.

So his death Friday from an accident during training exercises was especially jarring to his family.

An animal lover, he swerved his Humvee to avoid hitting a goat.

"It’s almost surreal," said his brother, Mark Geisler. "For it to happen in our back­yard, that’s where you get taken away. You think that abroad, you have a higher probability of something happening and you come to accept something like that.

"But you think you just go to training, for something like that to happen, you just can’t explain it."

Michael Geisler, 44, was a member of B Battery, 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery, of the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

On Tuesday night, Geisler was driving a Humvee on Saddle Road on Hawaii island through Pohakuloa Training Area when he swerved to avoid hitting a goat on the road, officials said. The Humvee flipped over, pinning Geisler underneath. Another soldier in the vehicle was not seriously injured.

Geisler was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea in critical condition, and later was transported to the Queen’s Medical Center.

Michael Geisler was a "happy-go-lucky" man who would enter a room and introduce himself to people he didn’t know so no one would feel awkward, Mark Geisler said. "He put everyone else first."

The Geislers grew up in Waikiki, where their mother still lives.

The soldier’s priorities were his family, his animals and his country, his brother said. "He pretty much bled red, white and blue," Mark Geisler added, noting that Michael had served as a guardsman for 25 years.

In his spare time, Michael had a passion for animals.

Mark Geisler described his brother’s house as the home of four to five tanks of fish, as well as turtles, Jackson chameleons and guinea pigs.

On Friday, the day Michael died, one of the guinea pigs gave birth to three babies. The family took it as a sign from Michael that "‘Hey, I’m here,’" Mark Geisler said.

Michael Geisler is survived by his wife; a son, 13; and a daughter, 4. Services are pending.

Geisler was among about 2,000 Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers conducting annual training exercises at PTA.