AN Army veteran has been killed in a freak accident – just weeks after moving more than 3,000 miles to pursue a new lifestyle off-grid.
Brian Neudecker was riding an ATV when he was struck by a train in rural Alaska on June 23.
The dad-of-five and wife Rachael had decided to up sticks from their Minnesota home in favor of a more rural setting.
The family’s relocation to their Talkeetna home, situated approximately two hours from Anchorage, was only weeks old when tragedy struck, according to reports from NBC‘s affiliate KTUU-TV.
Neudecker, Rachael, and their four-year-old daughter departed from Minnesota on May 23 and reached Alaska eight days later, according to details shared on a GoFundMe campaign set up afterward.
“They set out to build a simpler, more intentional life, one rooted in nature, freedom and family,” devastated friends said.
Pals described the accident as a “life-altering loss.”
Locals in the area thought an 18-wheeler truck had been involved in a collision when they heard the impact of the smash.
“It sounded as if an 18-wheeler had flipped or possibly something had broken apart,” David Straub recounted to KTUU-TV, sharing his neighbor’s account of the incident.
Neudecker, 45, was identified as the victim and tragic details have now emerged.
He is a former combat engineer and information technology specialist in the US Army.
He also worked as a Recruiting and Retention Non-Commissioned Officer in the Army National Guard.
Neudecker was a former recruiter for The Minnesota Army National Guard.
In a Facebook post from March 12, he revealed that his and Rachael’s home in Minnesota had been put up for sale.
“Let the adventure begin,” he wrote.
Taylor, Neudecker’s adult daughter, replied: “I don’t want you guys to leave.”
The pair exchanged jokes, with Neudecker quipping: “You left first.”
Neudecker’s Facebook bio also spoke about his move to Alaska.
“It all started with a dream many years ago,” his biography started.
“Alaska! Live free, dream big, and slow down and enjoy.”
Taylor has since shared a throwback snap from when she was a child.
Neudecker was wearing his army uniform, with Taylor also sporting camouflaged gear.
In the picture, the pair are seen giving each other a kiss.
“I’ll miss you forever and always,” Taylor wrote on social media.
“Volim Te dad.”
Volim Te is a Croatian and Serbian phrase that translates as “I love you.”
Rachael, who also served in the military, has not yet commented on social media about her husband’s death.
