Brian Goodman

Brian Goodman, the friendly Englishman often seen volunteering at Eagle River Nature Center, passed away June 2nd in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was 81 when he lost his battle with prostate cancer, and was surrounded by children and grandchildren during his final days.

Brian was born November 23rd, 1931 in Liverpool, England to Katherine and Thomas Goodman. An only child, Brian formed a lifelong bond with his cousin John Goodman. They found ways to make growing up in a war zone normal. Brian attended Merchant Taylors' School in Crosby and Clare College at Oxford University, majoring in History with a "minor" in rugby. He was stationed in Egypt when he served his mandatory two years in the British army. An inveterate history buff, in 1954 he came to America to pursue his Master's Degree in History from Yale University. In 1960 he was married to Marilyn Brynes. They had two children Alistair and Nicholas. While he was employed by the British Foreign Service the family lived in England and New York. The majority of his professional life was spent with Barclays Bank. In 1991 he reinvented himself and became the State Park Manager for the Historic New York City Aqueduct. It perfectly combined his love of the outdoors with his desire to preserve history. The aqueduct runs 26 miles through some spectacular parts of the New York suburbs. He partnered with The Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct and was a constant presence on the trail as he worked passionately to return its many features to the once glory he felt it so richly it deserved. In 2003, Brian again made a dramatic change in his life when he moved to Anchorage, Alaska. His true love of the outdoors became his focal point as he spent hours hiking and exploring the Chugach Range each week. He also joined the Eagle River Nature Center as its President, devoting himself once again with great passion. During this time he made many new friends, joined OLE as a Board member and sat on the Chugach State Park Advisory Committee.

He is survived by his two children, Alistair and Nicholas; five grandchildren, Kendall, Hayden, Charlotte, Camden and Henry, and his cousin John Goodman.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Eagle River Nature Center on Monday, July 15 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Brian's family requests donations to the Eagle River Nature Center.