Eric Ryan Cossman

Dec 31, 1956 -

Apr 29, 2026

Eric Ryan Cossman died peacefully at home in Anchorage, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from cancer. He was born on Dec. 31, 1956, to Harry Cossman and Ann Sabina in the Los Angeles suburb of Downey, Calif., the third of five children. Eric graduated from Downey High School, Humboldt State University in Northern California with a bachelor's degree in history, and Arizona State University College of Law in 1984. He practiced law with his father, through 1989, at the Cossman Law Offices in Norwalk, Calif.

Eric moved to Alaska in 1990 to practice law in Anchorage, where he lived for the remainder of his life. He originally worked at the law offices of Mestas and Schneider for a couple of years before starting his own independent law practice focused upon researching and writing for other lawyers.

In the mid-1990s, Eric set off on some transoceanic sailing adventures with members of his family. On a 42-foot sailboat he sailed across the Pacific Ocean from Mexico to the tropical island groups of French Polynesia. A year or two after returning to Alaska, he again returned to the sea, sailing from Hawaii to California.

After his sailing trips Eric changed careers to focus upon his hobby and passion: videography. He founded Alaska Legal Video and focused on forensic videography, specializing in videotaping litigation depositions for both his own business and Pacific Rim Reporting. He remained active in that business right up until his death.

Eric leaves behind his mother, Ann Sabina of Fresno, Calif., 98 years of age; sister, Chanah (Kimberly) Cossman (Marc Lasher) of Fresno; and brothers, Paul Cossman (Julia Cossman) of New Zealand, Todd Cossman of Fresno, and Philip (Jore) Cossman of St. Joseph, Mo.; as well as a number of nieces and nephews.