Bryan Handerson

Bryan Handerson of Burns, OR passed away in Salt Lake City, UT at the University of Utah Hospital at the age of 75 after complications from heart surgery. His wife and daughter were by his side.

Bryan was born October 10, 1945 to Bert Sr. and Nelda Handerson (Swanson) in Sumas, WA. He attended Nooksack Valley High School and enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 17, serving our country for three years as a boatswain’s mate, captaining a river boat (PBR) in Vietnam. 

He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Sandra Handerson (Hoy) of Burns, OR; children Heather Kennedy (Handerson) (daughter of previous wife Rosemary Handerson) and Roger Neiders (son of Linda Neiders, deceased); stepchildren Roy McMurtry and Jaci Hisle; stepchildren from a previous marriage, Aaron Inman, Sam Inman and Jan Ostler, twelve grandchildren; nephews Terry Handerson, Ron Handerson and Jeff Handerson, and his three dogs and two cats.

He is preceded in death by his parents Bert Sr. and Nelda Handerson, his brother Bert Handerson Jr. and sister Jeanette Witman (Handerson). 

Bryan had a love of travel and adventure and enjoyed RV’ing and “tinkering”, as he called it. Bryan was a skilled jack-of-all-trades: a mechanic, master plumber and electrician, truck driver, small business owner, and he remodeled several homes. He worked various jobs but his favorite was being an Area Manager with his wife for WESTrek Services for the last 23 years, managing several Forest Service campgrounds throughout the country, as far away as Kentucky. He had a great sense of humor and was an animal-lover who was never without dogs. 

At his request, there will be no formal memorial services.