Allen Menaker

1951 - 2023

Allen Menaker of Fairbanks, Alaska passed away Dec. 27, 2023 at the age of 72. He went to work at Northland Wood that day, just as he had for the previous 50+ years, and suffered a heart attack in the midst of his work day, passing before the paramedics arrived. Allen was a man of service and faith, always eager to use whatever resources he had at his disposal to help friends, family, co-workers and strangers.
Allen was born Jan. 31, 1951 in Palo Alto, California to Ray and Vivian Menaker. His parents wanted to pursue teaching in a rural environment and soon moved to Haines, Alaska. They built a small farm, taught in the local school and traveled the world with their family. Allen grew up with a fierce determination, strong work ethic and insatiable love of learning.
His life was transformed in High School when he heard the Gospel and became a follower of Jesus, surrendering his plans for those that God had for him.
Allen went to Northwest College in Kirkland, Washington where he met Jan Rucker. They married in 1972 and moved to Interior Alaska in order for Allen to attend the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
Allen began working at Northland Wood in 1973 and never finished his degree. What began as a temporary job of picking up garbage soon took on more and more responsibility.
He learned everything that he could and began to repair machinery and vehicles.
He built new structures and taught himself electrical engineering, computer programming and anything else that he needed in order to solve whatever problems arose.
He held every position at Northland at one time or another, but most often referred to himself as the Operations Manager, even after he became part owner.
Allen and Jan raised three boys in Fairbanks and immersed themselves in volunteering within the community.
Allen coached soccer, football and basketball teams. He ran the scheduling for Interior Youth Basketball for many years.
He served his church in multiple ways: Usher, Choir Member, Board Member, Sound Technician, building repair, teaching and offering rides to name a few.
Wherever there were thankless tasks or behind the scenes projects, he was there. He viewed his job at Northland Wood as a ministry and opportunity to show God's love.
He shoveled the driveways of his neighbors, visited and sang to the sick in hospitals. He visited and encouraged prisoners in jail.
He freely gave of his time and his money and his energy without the expectation that he would be paid back.
He was a rock within the community that could always be counted on for wisdom, support and hope in the midst of crisis.
He and Jan loved to travel with their family and Allen would save his vacation days for three years so that they and the boys could take an extended vacation together.
Allen was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Vivian Menaker, and his older brother, David.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jan; his sister, Terry; his three sons, James (Carina), John (Ellen), Robert (Clar); his six grandchildren, Marissa, Diego, Esperanza, Benjamin, Elliott and Analucia.
The memorial will be at 1 p.m. on Jan. 18, 2024 at True North Church (Airport Way) in Fairbanks, Alaska. Live stream address-https://church.truenorthak.org/memorial
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Allen's name to KJNP in North Pole, Alaska.