Brendan Leland Rider

Jan. 27, 1993 – Jan. 11, 2020

Brendan Leland Rider passed away unexpectedly Jan. 11, 2020 at his home in Homer, Alaska after a short illness.

Brendan was born in Anchorage, Alaska on Jan. 27, 1993 to Brandon and Jeni Rider. Brendan grew up in Anchor Point, Alaska, graduated from Homer High School in May 12, 2012, and completed Level III Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology at AVTEC June 21, 2013.

Brendan was a commercial fisherman since he was a young child, setnetting with his grandparents until he landed a job on a Cook Inlet gillnetter and later as a skiff man for a Prince William Sound seine operation. Brendan eventually was given the opportunity to utilize his education, working as a pump technician for an oil company in North Dakota. He later transferred to the North Slope to be back in his beloved Alaska. Even though Brendan worked in the oil fields, still he never missed a chance to go fishing should the opportunity present itself.

A diehard sports fan, Brendan followed the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Lakers with a fervor that mystified many. He also volunteered his time coaching Special Olympics basketball teams and refereeing junior high and high school basketball games. Brendan also played basketball, football, volleyball and disc golf when he was home from his Slope rotation in addition to fishing, hunting, snow-machining, and four wheeling. He was happiest on a court, a field or in a boat.

Brendan was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Bob and Gertrude Thompson; his great-grandfather, Clarence Rider; his grandfather, Mike Rider; his uncle, Allen Chapman; and his honorary uncle, Marc Roderick.

Brendan is survived by his father, Brandon Rider; his stepmother, Joyce Rider; and his siblings, James and Courtney, all of Anchor Point, Alaska; his mother, Jennifer Lenthal; his stepfather, Greg Lenthal; and brother Tanner of Wasilla; his extended family including his grandparents Dan Mumey and Robin Proctor of Anchor Point, Bob and Beverley Chapman of Anchor Point, and Carol and Leland McCabe of Tennessee; aunts and uncles Dora (John) Nott, Matt Chapman, and Joel (Catherine) Mumey; and cousins Britian, JD, Jacob, Judah, and Luke.

Brendan also had an extensive network of honorary family members including Dave Roderick, Stacy Roderick, David Roderick, Tapanga Roderick, Keith Roderick, Jack Roderick, Matt Roderick, Shanna Roderick, Aurora Merritt, Kayla Kendrick, Neill Roderick, Jordan Anderson, David Jolly, and Martin Melodih. Brendan’s most beloved partners in crime were Ethan Roderick, Zach Raham, Heath Johnson and Travis Smith. Brendan also leaves behind a much larger school, work and play family that are too numerous to count or list.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Feb. 1, 2020, in the Chapman Elementary gymnasium in Anchor Point. Bring a special memory if you have one, while sporting your favorite sports team jersey. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made in Brendan’s honor to Special Olympics Homer Community, 3200 Mountain View Dr., Anchorage, AK 99501. Phone: Sage at 907-222-7625.