Brian Matthew Christensen

Brian Mathew Christensen

February 2, 1984 – November 1, 2026

“Forever Loved”

A sweet light has gone out in our lives. With profound sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved son, brother, fiancé, and father, Brian Matthew Christensen. Brian passed away on November 1, 2026, at the age of 42, from apparent heart complications. The love he gave so freely—and the joy he brought into so many lives—will remain with us forever.

Brian was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey. From the beginning, he was full of energy and drawn to anything active. When he was four, his family moved to Norway, where he spent three years speaking Norwegian and embracing the snow and outdoor life. A later move to Montreal brought ice skating, skiing, and French.

Wherever Brian lived, he brought his independent streak, his sense of fun, and his big heart. Back in New Jersey, he threw himself into sports, the outdoors, snowboarding, motorbiking, skateboarding, jet skiing and breakdancing. As “teenagers-in-crime,” Brian planned the adventures, and David willingly filmed them. Brian cared deeply for his siblings and made sure his younger sisters were part of his adventures. He created videos of his silly, often risky escapades, skateboarded on his home-built half-pipe, leapt from a second-story window into deep snow, took Alyssa out of school early for her birthday, turned the downstairs dance floor and game room into a gathering place, and showed off his dance moves for friends.

He always had a soft spot for his sisters, who remember him this way:

*“Brian didn’t tease me or exclude me like my friends’ brothers did.”

*“Brian was compassionate, giving, charismatic. It seemed like everyone knew Brian—he made friends with everyone.”

*“Brian made us the best grilled cheese sandwiches on Sundays.”

*“Brian included his sisters in his crazy stunts and videos.”

*“He was always willing to help someone. If you needed him, he would be there.”

Above all, Brian was a devoted father. Avery and Teya were the center of his world, and he poured his adventurous spirit, boundless energy, and unwavering encouragement into raising them. He introduced them to skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding, and dirt biking, nurtured their interests in music, and made even the simplest moments memorable. Whether attending concerts, heading out for late-night ice cream, or exploring something new together, Brian made life an adventure. He encouraged his daughters to be brave, think independently, and pursue their dreams with confidence. His daughters will carry that confidence—and his unwavering belief in them—for the rest of their lives.

Avery and Teya remember:

*“He believed in me every single day of my life. He believed in me so hard and knew I could do it.”

*“He was the most loving person I’ve ever known in my life. He was my best friend, my biggest supporter, my late-night ice cream run buddy. He was my world.”

*“I hope to follow my dreams as much as he did and accomplish everything for him. I love you, Dad.”

Brian shared that same passion for life with his fiancée, Taeler. Together, they built a life rooted in love, adventure, creativity, and a shared desire to make a difference. From entrepreneurial ventures and community projects to Burning Man, paddleboarding, and camping, they were partners in every sense of the word. Their relationship was one of mutual encouragement, imagination, and a deep appreciation for the life they were creating together. They looked forward to marrying in the coming months, and the love they shared will remain an enduring part of Brian’s story.

Brian’s curiosity and entrepreneurial spirit carried him in countless directions. He explored cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, real estate development, and whatever new idea captured his imagination. He founded Tech Monday Utah, bringing together entrepreneurs, innovators, and curious minds in Salt Lake City to exchange ideas, build relationships, and explore the future of technology.

Yet Brian’s ambitions extended far beyond business. He believed in using his ideas, resources, and connections to create opportunities for others. He organized an event providing haircuts and clothing to people experiencing homelessness as they prepared for job interviews. He also helped develop a children’s education space in Puerto Rico to expand access to STEM education for underserved children.

His generosity was often spontaneous and extraordinary. Brian was known to give whatever he could to someone in need, whether it was his time, the shirt off his back, or, on one occasion, a car. He placed little importance on possessions and found far greater fulfillment in helping others.

His friends remember:

*“He was liquid sunshine in every room he walked into.”

*“He listened to me during some of my hardest moments. He listened to my endless stories, my crazy thoughts, and sometimes my absolute stupidity, without ever judging me.”

*“You’ve always been such a light, brilliant mind and being. I love how I could always count on you to banter some abstract ideas and create dreams into realities.”

*“Brian you were a brother to me, an adopted son to my father. The adventures we had were more than epic, more than stellar. The business plans we had in development were gonna change the world.”

*“Brian Christensen, one of my very best pals on earth, and brothers in the universe.”

Brian lived with an uncommon openness to possibility. He followed his curiosity, welcomed people into his world, and inspired those around him to dream bigger, give freely, and embrace life wholeheartedly. His legacy lives on not only in the adventures he pursued and the communities he brought together, but in the people who felt seen, supported, and loved because of him.

Brian is survived by his parents, Perry and Susan Christensen; his siblings, David Christensen (Jen), Breanne Wihongi (Matt), Heather Whitaker (Brett), and Alyssa Berriman; his fiancée, Taeler Short; his daughters, Avery Christensen and Teya Christensen; and his grandmother, Diane Christensen.

Those wishing to honor Brian’s memory are invited to reach out to support Taeler, Avery, and Teya. In particular, contributions toward the girls’ college education would help carry forward Brian’s hopes for them. Teya has been accepted to the University of Utah, and Avery is pursuing her dreams in New York.

We please ask that you come with your stories of Brian written down so they can be shared and memorialized in a book for his family.