Eugene H. Anderson

ANDERSON, LUND, REDD, PETERSON, TINNEY, WANGEROW

Posted By: Harvey Henry (email)
Date: 4/11/2009 at 10:13:20

Eugene H. Anderson
Born: October 12, 1931
Died: December 04, 2008
Services:Graveside Service: Tuesday, 11:00 am at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City.
Visitation:Monday 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City.
Eugene H. Anderson, 77, of 8 Lakeview Drive in Iowa City, died Thursday,
December 4, 2008 of cancer at his home in the care of his family.

In lieu of
flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa City Hospice.

Eugene was born on Columbus Day October 12, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois, the son
of Harold and Helen (Lund) Anderson. He graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of
Architecture after attending the Chicago Navy Pier and Champaign-Urbana
campuses of the University of Illinois. He then attended graduate school in sculpture at the University of Illinois under stone sculptor, Marvin Martin.

Gene met Elizabeth Redd at the University of Illinois and they were married in Chicago in 1953. He served during the Korean War from 1953-1955 with the 11th Army Airborne division. Stanley International Inc. of Muscatine Iowa hired Gene as a licensed architect to work in the Republic of Liberia and Nigeria Africa in 1960. Gene grew up with a strong desire to explore the world outside of his midwest home and relished his time working in Africa. His unique vision of art
and interest in history was developed during this time. The family collected a small collection of African art that was an inspiration for many years.

The Anderson family moved to Iowa City in 1965 when Gene and Libby decided to bring the family back to the midwest to raise their children. He became the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics architect for 25 years while Libby attended the University of Iowa. During his years as the head architect he initiated original art work to be displayed within the hospital to inspire comfort for those who needed to be there as patients In 1990 Gene decided to leave a fulfilling carrer in architecture to work full time on his life long time of sculpture. During this time he participated on the board of directors for Arts Iowa City and enjoyed any opportunity to bring art to the community.

The contemporary modern artwork created by Gene has been displayed in multiple juried shows and galleries in Iowa City and the midwest. He has enjoyed a small following of collectors that have appreciated his work over the years. His primary medium has been concrete, stone, iron, and more recently laminated styrofoam that all translate into simple natural forms. His work primarily was sculpture, but was also drawing, painting, and digital photography of his own
original 1960's abstract slides used in environmental art happenings. He continued the environmental art work by displaying creative images for the Travelers Dance Group in the past few years.

In 1994 the Family Group series of sculpture was created and pieces have been displayed at Chait Galleries in Iowa City, Des Moines Art Center, and the Brunnier Art Museum in Ames, IA. Pieces have also been shown at the Coralville City Hall, Ames and Iowa City Public Arts Programs, Shaffer Resort in Wisconsin, Coe College, Luther College, and Kirkwood College. The River Action Art Project committee in the Quad Cities installed a permanent piece for their environmental restoration art project in 2002. In December of 2006 Gene was commissioned by the Cedar Rapids Garden Club to create a sculptural foundation for the Mercy Hospital Hospice Center in Hiawatha Iowa. He recently said there are many more pieces in his head and spent hours speculating on the technical aspects of creating his art.

Gene also enjoyed traveling to many countries in the Mediterranean where he spent time visiting ancient architecture and learning ancient history. He traveled to Egypt in May of this year where he cruised down the Nile and took a sunrise balloon ride over the pyramids.

Surviors include his daughters, Devora Peterson of Golden, Colorado and Britta
Tinney of Quinlan,Texas; sister ,Janice Wangerow of Chandler, Arizona; grandson, Adam
Tinney and nephews, Kurt and Karl Kramer.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents and wife Elizabeth.