Family of Robert Steinbrecker says "thank you"

CEDARBURG (WITI) --  A day after the body of 24-year old Robert Steinbrecker was recovered in Cedar Creek in Cedarburg, the man's family thanked the community.  His father says Bob came home, to be home for good.  He released the following statement:

"On behalf of the entire Steinbrecker family, we want to thank all of our friends and all who have prayed for Bob's return.  We have a deep faith and know that our son, brother, and friend, Bob is with God. Special thank you to the Ozaukee Sheriff's Department and the police and fire and rescue of the surrounding communities of Cedarburg, Grafton, Mequon, Saukville, Thiensville, Milwaukee and the many others who provided volunteers to help find Bob. What a great, caring community we live in."

Family says Steinbrecker is a graduate of Cedarburg High School.  He studied for one year at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee before moving to Green Bay.  Recently he followed friends to Portland, Oregon.  He was home for the holidays.

Steinbrecker was last seen walking on the ice, after a night out with friends on December 27th.  On Friday, January 11, 2013 a resident noticed something coming up through the ice.

"I think it was my neighbors who spotted the hat, and then I came down here.  It was about 9 in the morning on Friday. It's a hat laying there, and police identified it as the missing person, a friend of my son's, it's a sad thing," Micheal Doll said.

Neighbors said they are thankful the family can now have closure after such a long search.

"It's tragic.  It's tragic all around," Doll said.