Former Sitkan Rod Beer Dies in Washington at 68
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- Category: Obituaries
- Created on Friday, 19 July 2024 14:22
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Rodney Edward Beer
Rodney Edward Beer peacefully passed away at his home in Gig Harbor, Washington, on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at the age of 68.
Rod was born July 12, 1955, in Juneau to Thomas and Elizabeth Beer.
He graduated from Sitka High School in 1974, and worked at Alaska Lumber and Pulp from the mid-1970’s to the mid-1990’s. After that he worked in heavy construction, building commercial buildings, roads, and on water and sewer until his retirement.
Rod spent many decades working alongside his brother and closest friends throughout Alaska from Sitka to Fairbanks and on the Aleutian Chain. His backyard was Southeast Alaska, where he spent most of his time off fishing, crabbing, hunting and camping with his family and friends, forming so many memories for all.
To be known and loved by Rod meant you always had someone in your corner you could count on at any given time. He had an exceptionally generous heart and selfless personality, and who would always be the first to offer a helping hand to anyone who needed it.
He loved a great steak dinner, a hot cup of coffee which he took very seriously. He liked long drives in his truck, a raunchy joke, a colorful remark to lighten any mood, and his beloved dogs who through the years kept a truly special place in his heart.
Nothing meant more to Rod than family and if you were a friend, you were family too.
He was a history buff, loved Nascar, and had a lifelong affinity for frogs leaving his family with their own mini collection to remember him by.
He was a truly good and kindhearted man with a wonderful heart and smiling laugh who will be dearly missed by all who were blessed to know him.
Rod is survived by his daughter Kimberley Robertson and son-in-law Bill, and grandchildren August and Bay. He also is survived by his sister Traci Bandy and her husband Bruce, and his brother Robert Beer and his wife Yong, as well as six loving nieces and nephews with whom he was very close, and many long-time close friends as well.
His family is planning to spread Rod’s ashes in a special family fishing spot in Sitka during a celebration of his life next year “where we are sure he will be looking down on us hoping things go awry to get a good laugh in. That is how Rod will be remembered,” his family said.
Thanks to the generosity and expertise of the the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska broadband department, Tidal Network ; Christopher Cropley, director of Tidal Network; and Luke Johnson, Tidal Network technician, SitkaSentinel.com is again being updated. Tidal Network has been working tirelessly to install Starlink satellite equipment for city and other critical institutions, including the Sentinel, following the sudden breakage of GCI's fiberoptic cable on August 29, which left most of Sitka without internet or phone connections. CCTHITA's public-spirited response to the emergency is inspiring.
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