Anderson, Richard C.

ANDERSON, KELLEY

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/6/2019 at 09:40:24

Richard C. "Dick" Anderson
Lamoni's Passing Parade. by Joseph Anthony. p. 229

During the course of a lifetime it seems that among all the acquaintances and friendships we have formed there are certain characters whose personalities stand out more prominently in memory than do others. Probably as intimate friends we knew them better and probably we were more congenial; and then, too, the reason for this prominent place in our thoughts may be largely their strength of character which automatically entitles them to this place of prominence as naturally as water finds its own level. Richard C. Anderson was such a character. He was just a little fellow when he began taking music lessons, in fact I think too young to know whether or not he really cared to become a musician; and some of our first experiences along that line were not overly encouraging to either of us. But what he lacked in the way of musical effort and the desire to observe a strict routine of practice he made up for in numerous other ways. He was a congenial friendly little fellow and his mind was always so alert and active that even at this tender age he made an interesting companion, one who was perfectly capable of holding up his end of the conversation even when the subject was one which ordinarily was of most concern to the adult mind. When he became of high school age this mature manner of thinking stood him in good stead, for as a freshman he possessed the self-confidence in his associations with others so that his mannerisms and actions bespoke more the experience of a senior rather than a freshman. This naturally gave him a great advantage in all lines of school activities of which he immediately became a leader who was immensely popular with students and teachers alike. Everyone called him Dick and wherever he went he took with him that smile which was positively so much a part of him that its meaning could not be mistaken. It was so frank and genuine and so much like a ray of sunshine which radiated even into the darkest corners of indifference that it attracted the lives of other people, drawing them toward it as naturally as a ray of sunlight attracts growing plant life. To know Dick was to value his friendship, and to work with him was one of the bright spots in many of the departments of regular routine which so often become monotonous and commonplace. By the time he entered high school he had established himself as a regular member of the school band and orchestra, and though he had never taken music as seriously as some, he had gained considerable skill upon his instrument, enough so that he proved himself a definite asset to these organizations. It was through a related source that he proved himself indispensable. By nature he was one of those responsive personalities who are always alert and whom no one but the director of a musical organization can fully appreciate. At times even those players who rate high in musical ability will become absorbed in their own individual efforts to the extent that they become oblivious to the wishes of the conductor or the group as a whole, and with eyes glued upon their music temporarily fail to respond to the necessary moods or variations. There are other individuals who, no matter who absorbed they become, respond immediately to the slightest sign, who by look or action signify their understanding of the situation and instantly lend their cooperation toward its fulfillment. It is key people of this kind who make themselves all-important in musical organizations and who tend to leaven the efforts of the whole to help produce the unity of action so necessary to the success of a musical production. Dick Anderson was one of these key people. The slightest glance in his direction brought immediate response and his tacit expression of understanding instantly brought a complete sense of cooperation and satisfaction.

In addition to this he was a born organizer and leader, and as our associations continued he assumed responsibility for a large share of the details incident to the arrangement of certain activities in which these musical groups participated. Any task he assumed was carried out systematically and efficiently and in this capacity we came to look upon him as a capable and valuable assistant. At one time, however, we made arrangements to take the high school orchestra to the little coal mining town of Hiteman. Some of the church people had requested that we send a group capable of giving a concert and it was thought that a trip to this mining town would prove interesting and educational to these people of high school age. Quite naturally they were much enthused over the plan and looked forward to it with keen interest, and Dick Anderson was assigned the important role of assisting with several details incident to the trip. On the evening preceding this event we held a final rehearsal and there full instructions as to each one's responsibilities were given to all the participants. Then came the final word of the director relative to the time of leaving. "We are leaving promptly at eight o'clock in the morning," he said. "We are not waiting for anyone unless his part is so essential that it will be impossible to get along without it. So, unless you really think you are good and your part absolutely indispensable, you had better plan to be on hand before that time." Early the next morning there were unusual signs of activity about the high school building as the cars were loaded with eager and excited youngsters who started upon the anticipated journey. A careful check of the loads revealed that all were present, and with the leading of the last car we left the school house feeling that every detail had been definitely cared for. As the last car stopped momentarily at the corner before turning on to the highway our attention was attracted by a distant shout, and looking in that direction we saw a tall, slim figure running up the hill from the west. He was waving his arms and shouting at the top of his voice and we laughed heartily as we recognized the approaching youngster to be Dick Anderson. how the checker had failed to note his absence was a mystery, but such was the case; and, had he been a moment later he would have missed the last car and the group would have been short a saxophone player. Quite naturally, for the balance of the day Dick found himself the subject of many good-natured jests. The fact that he had taken such an active part in the organization of the transportation for this trip and had been so intent upon seeing that each of the others was conscious of his responsibilities, and then at the crucial hour had allowed himself to oversleep was too good an opportunity to lose so his companions "razzed" him unmercifully. But instead of permitting his friendly joking of his friends to irritate him it only helped to bring into prominence one of the richest traits of his character. Because the joke happened to be on him was no reason why he could not enjoy the situation as well as anyone, and the jests of his companions induced him to make confessions of additional details of his temporary laxity which added to the ludicrousness of the situation. Then he too joined in the merriment and laughed as heartily as anyone. As time went one he steadily developed in maturity and his field of activity broadened. In the years during which he completed his high school and two years at Graceland he took an active interest in many school activities that brought from sponsors and students alike nothing but the most commendable reports of his efforts and ability. And with all the popularity thus gained, the most gratifying thing to me was that in spite of the interest and time he give to other activities he never allowed his interest in the musical organizations to lag. He was just as loyal to them and enthusiastic over his membership in them as he had been when music was his chief activity. Out of these associations developed a friendship between us that was quite different from the usual run. In our associations as student and teacher there was nothing in his manner especially different from that demonstrated in the class by any other member and I always endeavored to look upon him as simply another student. But when we two were alone or in some of the informal groups where we so often met, it was quite a different matter. There the difference in age seemed of no consideration and we met upon common ground -- the status of our associations then was that of comrades, where each spoke and understood the other's language, where the ties of fellowship were heartfelt and mutual. Sometimes that language was that of a couple of kids and at other times that of mature people, but in either role there was ever a feeling of perfect accord.

Upon his graduation from Graceland he laid plans for the continuation of his education. But those were difficult days. Financial reverses had struck the entire nation and there was none who had not felt the effect of the great financial depression to the extent that made it practically impossible to definitely plan for the future. This depression had invaded the Anderson household too, but the uncertainty created by this fact was apparently no discouragement to Dick. Other boys had worked their way through college and he could do it too. With this thought in mind he turned his efforts toward any type of work he could find. He worked on a farm, he dug ditches and he took his place that summer as a member of a telephone construction crew setting poles and running telephone lines. He was never of the robust build common to most youngsters his age, and realizing that this type of work demanded much in strength and stamina I with others was not a little concerned what the physical effect upon him might be. Having opportunity one day I mentioned of it and laughed off my query with the remark: "Don't worry about him. He may be a little light in weight but he's made out of the right kind of stuff. For all of his inexperience in this line of work and his apparent lack of ruggedness, he is today one of the best men I have on the crew." Instantly I knew what he meant. He was one of the best men on the crew because that was Dick Anderson's make-up--he could not have been otherwise. But little did that foreman realize what it was costing the lad to win those words of approval. None of us realized it. That fall he entered the university but in time the strenuousness of the program he had attempted began to assert itself and the strain of it all proved more than his physical resources could meet. The days which followed were periods of hospitalization, operations and hoped-for recuperation. But as time passed it became evident that he was unable to hold his own against the affliction which the most expert medical skill seemed powerless to stay, nor could it in any way be credited to a lack of effort upon his part, for it was at this time that we had opportunity to appreciate the indescribable strength that lies in a character which acknowledges no defeat, which faces inevitable reverses with a courage and serenity that is almost beyond the comprehension of human understanding. In situations similar to the one which occurred on the Hiteman trip we learned of his ability to relish a situation even though it was at his expense; but these were insignificant things - mere trifles - compared to the situation which now faced him, for this was no joke. When he became a patient in the Oakdale Sanitarium, an institution maintained specifically for suffers of tuberculosis, the odds were piled heavily against him. It was a fight to the death and he knew it. Yet in spite of this his courage remained unshaken and his spirit unbroken. Under orders for complete rest he was allowed one-half hour each day to engage in some light form of activity that could be participated in without leaving his bed and at these times he visited with his friends, wrote a few cards or short letters in reply to some of the many he received. This was precious time for he had so many things he wished to do and so little time in which to accomplish them; and the sand in the hour glass of life was running dreadfully near the end. It was at this time that he chose to reply to a group letter that had been sent to him by one of the local musical organizations of which he had previously been a member. He was not content to write a brief note of acknowledgement to the group and allow it to suffice, but rather he chose to write at some length to each individual - each a miniature masterpiece in courage and optimism that bore no note of discouragement or complaint about his own misfortune. It took him a week to complete that letter; and a very few days after its completion the last few grains of sand gradually tricked from the glass and a brilliant young life had gone on to new adventures.

In a secluded compartment of my desk that letter remains a prized memento and a symbol of something too sacred to ever become commonplace or ordinary, for one glance at those typewritten pages immediately brings again a flood of memories. Again we share the richness of his cheery, companionable greeting and the warmth of his smith as he jokes about some of the incidents familiar to our associations - things trivial but significant. For instance the candy I attempted to make at one of our social functions. It absorbed some foreign ingredient that gave it a peculiar flavor; he called it lacquered candy and really enjoyed it as something novel . . . he mentioned the time he rang the church bell to provide background to a New Year's party . . . yes, it is easy to lose oneself as one reads those pages for in so doing we again see that inevitable smile which always accompanies those memories as naturally as the sunbeams penetrate the thinning clouds which follow a summer storm. So in memory Richard Anderson still lives; and during his short lifetime he was able to amass a wealth in human living that will prove an incentive and inspiration to all who came under the touch of his influence. To have known him was a privilege, to have been his friend was a wellspring of inspirational memories. Had he lived he would have undoubtedly been prominent in the business world and an important figure in its complicated activities. That thought, however, is mere speculation, as one of his ability and personality could have made a success of any type of endeavor. But the things he did accomplish are not speculation but tangible evidences which prove invaluable in a normal program of living that cannot help but furnish incentive in helping to make a better world. We think of him as one of the home-town boys but in a broader sense we realize that the full import of his influence extends far beyond this limited classification; in fact, his achievements among those who really knew him will automatically rank him high among those who have made a worthy contribution to Lamoni's passing parade.

NOTE: Richard was born August 3, 1910, the son of Oscar and Ella "Belle" (KELLEY) ANDERSON, and died October 24, 1933. He was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni IA.

Copied by Jean Belzer, November 8, 2002

Note by Sharon R. Becker, July of 2015