Derek Leichliter, 39, of Soldotna, passed away on November 7, 2021. Memorial services will be 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, at Cook Inlet Academy, 45872 K-Beach Rd., Soldotna. Derek was born Oct. 7, 1982, in Soldotna to Harold and Judy Leichliter. Derek was known for his bright smile and quick easy laugh. As a little boy, his mother Judy would take him to watch machines move dirt in a local gravel pit. The energetic boy could find the patience to watch those machines work. He attended school in Nikiski and graduated from Nikiski High School. After school, Derek followed his passion for building and construction working his first job at Spenard Building Supply. Later, he entered the trades as an electrical apprentice. He worked for a few local companies as an electrician. In 2011, he started his own business, Legacy Electric. Derek thrived working for himself. He loved complex challenges, like building six airplane hangars at the Kenai Airport. He grew his business and took on more projects every year. Though he loved his work, Derek’s true passion was the place he lived his whole life--the Kenai Peninsula. He was on the Kenai River almost every day all summer. He was an accomplished fisherman and loved sharing his sport with other people. He enjoyed fishing with old pros or taking new friends out to catch their first salmon. He’d dreamed of flying since he was a kid and worked hard to have a plane and a hangar and to get his pilot’s license. He loved taking friends and sharing photos of his adventures. His love of the Kenai Peninsula was beyond the activities it offered. Derek was interested in the community and was a board member for the Kenai River Sportfishing Association. He was on the board for the Alaska Men’s Run. He was a board member of the Kenai Airport. Derek formed strong friendships through these organizations that extended beyond just the work they did. Derek was even nominated by the governor to fill a vacant state representative’s seat. Derek was an Alaskan outdoorsman, but he also had great taste. He was a talented landscaper and had a knack for making a space inviting and comfortable. He was a gracious and enthusiastic host. Derek was proud of his son, Jacob Topp for graduating from Cook Inlet Academy last spring and moving on to college. Derek’s kept in touch with his 5-year-old daughter, Ayla Leichliter in Montana over FaceTime, where he’d sometimes disguise himself a sparkly unicorn to keep her attention. Derek made friends quickly and easily and will be missed by many people who fell in love with his ready laugh and intense charm. Derek was preceded in death by his Grandfather, Roy Moore of Nikiski and Grandmother, Pauline Craver of Texas. Survivors include his children, Jacob Topp of Soldotna and Ayla Leichliter of Anaconda, Mont.; parents, Judy Leichliter of Nikiski and Harold and Melinda Leichliter of Soldotna; sister, Melissa Leichliter; brother, Jon Leichliter; and sister, Michelle Williams; and Grandmothers, Barbara Moore of Nikiski and his dear friend, Robert Penney. Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.