Paul M. Anderson (2011)

ANDERSON, WORSWICK

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart (email)
Date: 5/19/2011 at 19:20:35

Winterset Madisonian, Winterset, Iowa
May 18, 2011

PAUL M. ANDERSON, San Ramon, Ca

Dr. Paul M. Anderson, 85, died peacefully at home in San Ramon, Calif., on April 26 while listening to Beethoven after complications following congestive heart failure and a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

He will be remembered for his remarkable contributions to the field of Electrical Engineering as a researcher, professor and author, as well as being a loving father and family man.

Paul is survived by his wife of 60 years, Virginia, and their four sons and spouse/partners: Bill/Anne, Mark/Holly, Jim/Yuriko, Tom/Tracy and one granddaughter, Tomel.

Transcriber's Note: Dr. Anderson was a 1944 graduate of Winterset High School. His father, Neil Anderson, was a funeral director in Winterset.
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Eningeering Tips Forum
May 02, 2011

Paul was born January 22, 1926 in Winterset, Iowa, the younger brother of Francis, son of Neil and Buena. After High School he enlisted in the Army Air Corps until WWII ended in 1945. He then attended Iowa State College majoring in Electrical Engineering. It was at Iowa State where he met his bride-to-be, Virginia (Worswick) whereupon, after graduating, they were married in 1950. After college Paul started working as an Engineer but later came back to Iowa State as an Instructor while working on his Master's Degree. He found that he loved teaching and after obtaining his Ph.D. from ISU he ended up spending most of his career as a university professor of Electrical Engineering with an interest in Power Systems. In addition to teaching engineering at Iowa State University (1955-1975), Paul was President and Principal Engineer of Power Math Associates, Inc., San Diego, CA (1978-1998). Other accomplishments include Program Manager at Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA (1975-1978), Chair in Electric Power Systems, Arizona State University (1980-1984), and Schweitzer Visiting Professor, Washington State University, Pullman, WA (1996-1997).

Paul was a member of six Professional Honorary Societies and was heavily involved with many Professional Society activities. Paul was registered as an Electrical Engineer in Iowa, California and Arizona and in California was also registered as a Control System Engineer.

He published well over 50 papers in professional publications and authored or co-authored six books. His books are still highly regarded in the field of Electric Power Systems and some have been translated into Chinese and Russian.

Paul was honored with several awards for his accomplishments, including being awarded as a National Science Foundation Science Faculty Fellow, a Faculty Citation from the Iowa State University Alumni Association, and a Professional Achievement Citation in Engineering from Iowa State University. He was recognized as a Fellow of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in 1981. He was also elected to the National Academy of Engineering, among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer, for his contributions that have advanced the analysis and control of electric power systems worldwide.

Paul always loved music, from the time in 5th grade when he used to practice his new baritone horn on the front porch home in Des Moines ("probably to the consternation of the entire neighborhood" he once said) through high school and college. He was a member of several glee clubs, chorus and big bands. Paul loved playing his beloved Steinway piano and loved entertaining friends and family with his singing of old Air Corp songs and commercial jingles.

Paul is survived by his wife of 60 years, Virginia, and their four sons and spouse/partners: Bill/Anne, Mark/Holly, Jim/Yuriko, Tom/Tracy and one granddaughter Tomel.

In lieu of flowers, Paul's family would appreciate donations made to the Alzheimer's Association or your favorite charity.