Anderson, Robert Elmer 1924-1999

ANDERSON, HARE, LEE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 8/21/2016 at 13:18:29

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
July 19, 1999

ROBERT E. ANDERSON

Grinnell Mayor Robert Elmer Anderson, 74, died Wednesday, July 14, at St. Francis Manor.

Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon at St. John's Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Stephen Jasch officiating. Organist was Margaret Amo, and trumpeter was Paul Davoux. Eulogist was Jim White.

Casket bearers were Jan Anderson, Pam Ashing, Ted Clausen, Karen Dillon, Duane Neff, Pam Rupe and Barb Schmidt. Honorary bearers were Jerry Barns, Mike Birmingham, Gordon Canfield, Don Schild, John Verona and Bill Weeks.

Graveside rites were conducted by the honor guard of the Iowa Army National Guard. Burial was in Hazelwood Cemetery, with the Smith Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

He was born July 27, 1924, in Albion, Neb., to Elmer and Edna Hare Anderson. He was raised in Nebraska and was a 1941 graduate of Hartington High School.

He attended Wayne State University and was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. Following the war, he graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.A. degree.

He was recalled into active Army duty during the Korean conflict and served at Gen. Douglas McArthur's headquarters in Tokyo.

On May 8, 1948, he was married to Lorraine M. Anderson at Ogden. They moved to Grinnell in 1953 and owned and operated Grinnell Office Supply. From 1980 to 1993, he owned and operated Boklada, a downtown Grinnell book store.

Mr. Anderson had served as mayor for nearly 14 years. He was a past vice president of the Iowa Jaycees and past president of Junior Achievement. He also served as chairman of the Poweshiek County Republican Central Committee for several years.

He was a long-time member of St. John's Lutheran Church and served as Sunday school superintendent for several years. At the time of his death, he was serving as secretary of the church.

He served on the executive committee of the Iowa American Lutheran Church and as chairman of the last ALC convention. He had attended foreign missions for his church in Central America, Mexico and Russia.

Survivors include his children, Doug of Fayetteville, Ga., and Lori Lee of Nevada, Iowa, and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and one brother, Duane.