Bob Hodson, former owner of Barney's Sports Chalet, dies at 59

"ANCHORAGE (KTUU) - The former owner of Barney’s Sports Chalet, a specialty outdoor shop in Midtown Anchorage, has died at the age of 59.

Bob Hodson passed away this week from health-related issues.

Barney’s Sports Chalet has been in business since 1963. Hodson has owned the store since 1985. Hodson purchased the store from Barney Sidler, who was its namesake, and expanded the store.

Hodson was avid sheep hunter and had a passion for the outdoors. He designed specialty gear, including popular external frame packs for hunters.

"Bob's always kind of been known in the industry as the guy that's always kind of had the latest and greatest of everything. From technical equipment to advice as well, which a lot of people really valued with him," said Kevin Dana, who took over the store in January.

Dana said he first met Bob back in 2009, and went into business in 2014.

"At the end of the day, once you got him by himself, and unraveled a little bit, he was a really good person," he said."

May his memory be eternal.
Still in the prime of his life. This is a lesson to all of us. Make your time count, our life’s stop watch, never takes a break, has a definite term limit and the timing is never right.
I’ve bought excellent gear from his store, online and in person. I wish his family and friends peace and solace from each other and above.

Bob was good people. I enjoyed my time around him and consider my time here more blessed because of him.
Live each day like your last.

WHAAAT? No way. Very sorry to hear this. No good time to go, but 59 is way too early. Barney's is a unique and wonderful business. RIP and best to his family.

Bob, RIP terrible news, way too early. Have purchased many of his products that lasted 20+ years.

Here's an obituary put together for the outdoor community:

Bob Hodson Obituary

The outdoor world recently lost a passionate hunter, guide, conservationist, business owner, and innovator. Robert "Bob" Hodson died peacefully on April 3, 2019, due to complications from congenital heart disease.

Born in 1959, Bob moved to Alaska with his family in 1960. In his youth, he developed an unparalleled passion for hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. In 1975, Bob’s passion turned into a career when he began working at Barney's Sports Chalet of Anchorage, Alaska. He went on to purchase it in 1985. During Bob’s long tenure as owner of “Barney’s,” it gained a worldwide following for state-of-the-art, innovative, proprietary gear as well as being an unfailing resource for acquiring the latest and greatest outdoor gear from around the world. Have a remote wilderness trip? Barney’s could outfit you from head to toe. In addition to interacting with hunters traveling through Anchorage, Bob and Barney’s were regulars at the national hunting conventions. Bob’s efforts with the Alaska Governor’s Sheep Tag, as well as his fundraising efforts and donations to hunting organizations left a large and generous mark on the outdoor community in Alaska and nationally.

Through unique contacts, Bob was able to help open up Russian block hunting during the breakup of the Soviet Union. Bob undertook many exploratory trips on his own before guiding others. Bob’s outfit, Sable Expeditions (1997-2019), outfitted hunters for 14 years in Russia for snow sheep, moose, brown bear, and urial sheep. Bob, his friends, and his clients accounted for a number of exceptional trophies including a world record snow sheep, still on display in Barney’s today. Being an experienced and well-connected Alaskan hunter, Bob also helped hunters organize hunts in Alaska, including many who purchased the Alaskan Governor’s Sheep Permit.

As a hunter, Bob’s adventures in Alaska as well as Russia were impressive. Bob was a passionate, successful, and persistent hunter. Bob accumulated some very impressive trophies, especially with his muzzleloader. Sheep were certainly his foremost hunting passion.

Bob was also a talented architect and melded his passion for the outdoors with that talent in 2007 by designing a one-of-a-kind fishing lodge in Prince William Sound. It was a beautiful fishing lodge and became a prized refuge for Bob to relax away from Anchorage.

Barney’s Sports Chalet will continue under the ownership of Kevin Dana, a long time Barney’s manager and current owner. Bob is survived by his two children Sable and Trent Hodson as well as a large, extended family. Donations in Bob’s name can be made to the American Heart Association, National Kidney Foundation, or the Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation.

What a shame - Bob was a good dude. I liked him b/c it was evident he knew his stuff and he did not tolerate fools easily. Condolences to his family and friends.

Sorry to hear this. Bob was a true gentleman and very welcoming and friendly to deal with. We are diminished.

RIP