Obituary of Brian Reid Andersen

Brian Reid Andersen, our beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend passed away on March 24, 2023, in Tacoma, Washington, at the age of 51.

Brian was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Apr. 30, 1971, to Charles and Loa Andersen. Brian lived life to the fullest—he was a fearless adrenalin junkie. His motto was, “Die Tired, Not Bored”.  He spent his youth shirtless and shoeless in Kailua, Hawaii, swimming, biking, and fishing. This is where he fell in love with the ocean and beach life. His family moved to University Place, Washington when he was 11 years old, where he developed a passion for restoring old Volkswagen Beetles and skateboarding on his massive, backyard half-pike that was custom-built by his father.  He graduated from Curtis High School, Class of 1990 and in 1991, moved to Arizona to attend Arizona State University for a year before deciding a life of entrepreneurship was calling him. As an extreme athlete, focusing on high dives, Brian was a jump master and led bungee jumps across Arizona, Chicago, and Ohio.

Brian loved his years in Scottsdale, helping to open and manage Gibson’s, as a part owner of Martini Ranch, as well as doing security management and set-up for hundreds of concert promotions.  He was passionate about his career as a liquor law educator and trainer. He was a dynamic teacher and trained over 100,000 restaurant and bar employees. Brian developed and directed the Arizona Covert Underage Buyer Program, as an independent, state-certified, in-house policy enforcement program to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors.

After leaving Arizona, Brian moved to Fox Island, WA, to support his mother and be closer to family. Many new friendships were forged on the island and at Zog’s. Often when you are new to the island, it feels large, but Brian made the island small by making so many friends there. He was always there to support and offer a hand, frequently just showing up when he knew there was a need. Brian was known for spreading holiday cheer and dressing as Santa Claus on Christmas Day and Father Time on New Year's Day and cruising around the island or standing at the boat dock to welcome folks as they came across the bridge.

Brian had a heart of gold—he was a true friend, who always had your back. He was genuinely happy for others and wanted the best for them, expecting nothing in return. He never judged you but served and loved unconditionally. He made you feel like you were the most important person in the room and in his life. He was fiercely loyal and protective and would do anything for his family and friends. He was a colorful raconteur, with a great sense of humor. His positive outlook on life was contagious. He was a true visionary, with a continuous stream of ideas, always seeing potential and opportunity and freely sharing with those who would benefit. Brian always wanted to change the world in some way and for those lucky enough to have known him, he did!

Brian is survived by his mother Loa Andersen, his father Dr. Charles Andersen, his stepmother Donna-Marie Andersen, his siblings Anjali Andersen (Jaime) Gonzalez, Curtis (Venice) Andersen, Kristen Hansen, and Allison Cadman, his nephew Noja Gonzalez, as well as

13 step-nephews and nieces, and 28 step-great nephews and nieces, and recently became a cat dad to Harley & Bella, who adored him.

A memorial service will be held on April 1, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 8002 Dorotich St., Gig Harbor WA 98335.  For those unable to attend, services will be streamed via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/99400186399.

Please visit Brian’s Memorial Page for more information: https://curnowfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/314433/Brian-Andersen/obituary.html#tribute-startt. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family is requesting monetary donations be made to Loa Andersen for medical and funeral expenses.  Venmo: @Loa-Andersen