Obituary of Robert Charles Anderson

Robert C. Anderson, 86, died at Liberty Heights Senior Community surrounded by his family on Thursday, January 30, 2020. Bob was born February 17, 1933 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Robert and Olga Anderson.�He grew up in Minneapolis exploring the neighborhoods with his beloved dog, Lizzie.� After junior high the family moved out to Maple Plain. He attended high school at Minnehaha Academy, each day riding in from the country and then catching the streetcar to school. After high school, Bob attended St. Paul Bible College for two years, then served in the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of corporal with a short overseas deployment to Germany.�Upon returning in 1955, he was employed by Western National.� He met Lois Nelson at Oxboro EFC youth group in the fall of 1955. She rebuffed his first date request but he didn't give up and they had their first date at a Drive-in for root beer floats - which makes sense now that root beer floats were a regular thing in our family growing up.�They were engaged in September of 1956 and married December 7, 1956. Bob and Lois made their home in Bloomington, where they raised their children. Bob was very active in their church in many ways, serving as an elder, deacon, led Boys Christian Service Brigade, assisted with building projects and workdays, and drove kids on the Sunday school bus. �Bob loved adventure and wanted to share that with his children. He was a big fan of family vacations and took them from coast to coast across the United States and Canada, into Mexico and across the ocean to Europe.�Bob and Lois enjoyed several Elderhostels over the years with Lois' brother, Don Nelson and his wife, Marj. Bob's retirement hobbies included biking, hiking, traveling and he also enjoyed making furniture.They resided in Bloomington from 1956 until 1998 when Bob retired from Western National after forty-three years, where he was the Executive Vice President of the company.�After retirement, he continued serving on the Western National Board of Directors. In 1998, they built their retirement home in the beautiful Black Hills. During their fifteen years in the Hills many priceless memories were made with the kids and grandkids: hiking, biking, golfing in the front yard, paint balling, drives through Custer wild life loop, breakfasts with the "presidents".�He also started each day in the Hills with a two-mile morning walk around the neighborhood. Bob and Lois moved to Fort Collins, Colorado in 2013 and then to Colorado Springs, where he has enjoyed the mountain views that he so frequently visited through the years.Reuniting with him in heaven are his parents, Robert and Olga Anderson; and two precious grandchildren who have been waiting to meet him.�He leaves behind to remember him, his wife of sixty-three years, Valois L. Anderson; children, James (Connie) Anderson, Karen (Brian) Solstad, and Cathy (Dean) Olson; grandchildren, Craig (Jennie) Anderson, Benjamin (Hannah) Anderson, Caitlin Severson, Rebecca (Lance) Foster, Samuel (Bethany) Olson, and Peter (Quinn) Olson; and three great-grandchildren, Emelia Anderson, Jacob Olson and Tyler Olson with two more precious greats on the way in March. He is also survived by brother, John (Gloria) Anderson; sisters, Janet Mikkelson and Joanne Anderson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Don and Marj Nelson and Paul and Jan Nelson; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. �In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Robert's memory may be given to CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship)�https://www.cefonline.com/donate/