Army vet is killed in freak accident just weeks after his family moved to live off the grid in Alaska

A Minnesota Army veteran who had just moved his family to Alaska to pursue dreams of a simpler life has been killed only three weeks after arriving in the state.

Brian Neudecker, 45, was struck and killed by a train while riding on an ATV along a stretch of the Parks Highway in south-central Alaska on June 23.

The deadly collision happened shortly after 10:30pm with first responders pronouncing Neudecker dead at the scene, tragically cutting short what had been a bold new chapter for the decorated veteran, his wife, and their young daughter.

Neudecker and his wife, Rachael, who is also a military veteran, had packed up their lives in Minnesota in May.

After selling their home, they set out with their four-year-old daughter to build a new life off the grid in the remote village of Talkeetna, about 100 miles north of Anchorage.

The family had barely begun to settle into their new wilderness haven when disaster struck.

The news sent shockwaves through the tight-knit veteran community and among neighbors in Alaska who had just started to get to know the Neudecker family.

‘Their dream was to come live here in Alaska, and they moved up here and got a nice place,’ a man who had befriended the couple told KTUU in Anchorage. 

Brian Neudecker, 45, was struck and killed by a train while riding on an ATV on June 23, along a stretch of the Parks Highway in south-central Alaska. He had just moved to Alaska in May along with his wife, Rachel and their four-year-old daughter

His death cut short what should have been a bold new chapter for the decorated veteran

‘They moved into a nice neighborhood; they were super nice people trying to live their dream.’

According to Alaska State Troopers, Neudecker had been enjoying a ride through muddy backcountry terrain on his ATV that evening when he crossed the railroad tracks at a dangerous angle and was hit by a passing train. 

The Alaska State Troopers say their investigation remains open, but there is no indication of foul play. 

Loved ones set up a GoFundMe to help her pay for funeral costs, emergency travel, and the possibility of relocating once again.

‘After years of military service, Rachael and Brian, both proud veterans, made the courageous decision to sell their home in Minnesota and pursue a shared dream: to live off the grid in the stunning wilderness of Alaska,’ the fundraiser reads. 

‘With their 4-year-old daughter by their side, they set out to build a simpler, more intentional life, one rooted in nature, freedom, and family.’

Neudecker was born in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, and had spent years living south of Morristown before making the long journey to Alaska, reaching their new homestead on May 31. 

Friends say he had been eager to begin building a more sustainable, rugged life that would see him teaching his daughter to appreciate the outdoors, and savoring the vast, breathtaking quiet that Alaska can offer.

Neudecker and his wife, Rachael, who is also a military veteran, set out with their four-year-old daughter to build a new life off the grid in the remote village of Talkeetna, about 100 miles north of Anchorage

The couple had just been getting to know friendly locals in a tight-knit veteran community

Loved ones have set up a GoFundMe to help Rachel pay for funeral costs, emergency travel, and the possibility of relocating once again 

‘On June 23, Brian was in an ATV accident and did not survive,’ the GoFundMe post explains. ‘In an instant, Rachael lost her husband, his kids lost their father, and their new beginning was forever changed.’

Donations have begun pouring in with $21,000 raised so far to help Rachael navigate the future that sees her grieving her husband, while trying to care for their young daughter.

Neighbors in Talkeetna described Brian as generous and friendly, quick to wave and lend a hand as he and Rachael worked to set up their new off-grid home.

‘They moved into a nice neighborhood; they were super nice people trying to live their dream. I’ve been talking to him every day… talking about hunting and fishing and everything and just been showing them the Alaska experience,’ said Nick Taylor to KTUU. 

‘Your generosity will help carry them through this unimaginable time and honor Brian’s memory by supporting the family he loved so deeply,’ the fundraiser reads, urging people to help the family recover from the tragedy.

Neudecker’s adult daughter Taylor also paid a touching tribute to her father.

‘I’ll miss you forever and always,’ she wrote on Facebook.