Neil Christopher “Chris” Rader, a Central Florida environmental engineer with Wright-Pierce and a natural leader with extensive service in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps, with ASCE as Region 5 governor from 2022-25, as a city council member and more, has died. He was 51.
A lifelong learner and problem solver, Rader, P.E., ENV SP, M.ASCE, served in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps. After completing his military service, Rader poured himself into community engagement in Central Florida.
Rader was a current member of the Edgewood, Florida, city council, was director of engineering for the cities of Altamonte Springs and Fort Oglethorpe, and even guided his neighborhood as homeowners association president. In every role, he sought practical solutions and thoughtful collaboration. He believed in service as a responsibility.
Rader graduated magna cum laude from Tennessee Technological University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He felt called to serve his country and entered the Navy as a lieutenant in 1995, where he earned a master’s degree in information systems technology and management from the Naval Postgraduate School as a distinguished graduate. Promoted to lieutenant junior grade, Rader was assigned to the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., where he supported installation of a new engineering management system.
In 2003, he deployed to Baghdad, providing program management in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Later he served with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 in Alabama, part of the storied Seabees, including service in Okinawa, Japan. Rader received the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and many others.
After a decade of honorable service, Rader transitioned to a private professional career. He completed a second master’s degree in environmental engineering from the University of Central Florida, and spent nearly seven years in the Orlando office of AtkinsRéalis as a water specialist.
Rader was known for prioritizing family. He was devoted to his wife, Jennifer, and to their son, Levi. He had a knack for improving and fixing things – cars, computers, his golf game and Jennifer’s honey do list.
The Florida Section will be holding a celebration of life for Chris on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Orlando.
