Del Anderson Obituary

1906 - 2008 Long-time Alameda resident Del Anderson, businessman, Scoutmaster, spiritual leader, and founder of an international foundation, graduated into his new life at age 102 on August 20. Del was born in San Francisco on July 17, 1906. His international service began in 1956 when he and his wife Bebe spent a year in Japan helping the Omi-Hachiman Christian community. He and Bebe became leaders of a Christian spiritual retreat group, Camps Farthest Out. Del served as president of its world ministry, Camps Farthest Out International, which trains local leaders in developing countries to promote spiritual growth by establishing Christian camps and retreats. In 1996 he founded Spirit in Action, (godsspiritinaction.org), serving people in developing countries with grants for families to start small businesses, larger grants for community projects, as well as providing self-help and spiritual growth materials. Thousands of Africans remember Del as the "seed man" who sent them packets of vegetable seeds Del grew up in East Oakland and attended Fremont High School. As a young man he organized band engagements at area hotels. He advanced from delivery driver for local cleaners to owner of Revelation Cleaning in Alameda. After Del sold that prosperous business in 1950, he became an active real estate investor and manager and devoted himself to volunteer service. He became the much loved Scout leader of Oakland's Troop 123. Central to Del's spirituality was daily contemplative meditation focused on listening to God. Innumerable and unforgettable are the letters and notes with special inspirational enclosures that Del sent to so many friends over his life time. Del's deep joyful voice and affirming love will be missed by his many friends in the Bay Area and around the world. Del was preceded in death by three brothers, a sister and his first wife Bebe. Del is survived by his beloved wife Lucile, and her two sons Robert and Gerald Hanford and their families, as well as his sister-in-law Marie Anderson and her family. A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, September 21, at 3 p.m. at Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church, 3534 Lakeshore Ave. at Mandana Blvd., Oakland. Donations may be made in Del's memory to Spirit in Action, P.O. Box 14045, Minneapolis MN 55414 or CFOI 120 Indian Village Rd., Shapleigh Maine 04076.

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Published by Bay Area News Group publication from Sep. 4 to Sep. 6, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Del Anderson

7 Entries

Nory Salcedo - Orbe

August 29, 2020

Remembering Grandpa Del with gratitude for sharing his great faith in the Lord, positive contributions to the community and inspiring / supporting many people. Greatly blessed. Hope someday our family can visit and pay respect to his grave when it is safe to do so. We pay it forward. His is a life well lived. Thank you, Grandpa Del.

Noreville Salcedo-Orbe

September 21, 2008

Our family hold Grandpa Del as I call him in fond memories and gratitude for his inspiration of great faith and loving kindness. Wherever I am, from the Philippines to Singapore and now in Canada, his wisdom, spirit-filled encouragement and support touched and made a difference in our lives, as it did to many others. I will miss his hand-written letters, the notes that goes with it, and yes the seeds. While we are sad, we rejoices that he is now in heaven. Indeed, he lived a full life in God's service. Grandpa Del, Grandma Lucile and the SIA Family will always be a part of us. We are grateful for the bond of love that binds us in Jesus' Name.

Matt & Helen Leach

September 6, 2008

We first met Del and Bebe at the Iowa CFO many years ago. We were much inspired by them. We enjoyed the Spirit in Action news letters he sent, and the personal notes he always included. He will be greatly missed.

Paul Ribali

September 5, 2008

You challenged me to go farther by allowing me to translate the articles you used to send me.
Blessings!! Shalom!!

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Rev. Maddie Sifantus

September 5, 2008

Thinking of Del on behalf of my parents, Lina and Harold MacNeill, who knew Del through CFO. My mother particularly worked with Del on CFO International and spoke fondly of him. She now has significant memory issues at 95 but I did tell her of his death. The memory of him brought her a smile and she sang a verse of "I love the Lord, he has blessed me so."

Jay Montalbano

September 5, 2008

Dear Lucile, and family and friends of Del-

I was sorry to learn that Del had dies, but rejoice in his long life, and that he is now face to face with the Lord he loved so much.

When I first met Del at a CFO camp, he was already well into his 80's. I was immediately struck by his ram-rod straight posture, full head of iron-gray hair, rich mahogany skin, deep booming voice, and keen intellect.

Del's commanding presence was not intimidating, however, as it was balanced by his gentle nature, and by his obvious love of Lucile, of the Lord, and of others.

Del's obituary described his impact on me -- and on so many others -- quite accurately when it noted:

"Innumerable and unforgettable are the letters and notes with special inspirational enclosures that Del sent to so many friends over his life time. Del's deep joyful voice and affirming love will be missed by his many friends in the Bay Area and around the world."

I feel humbled and blessed that this busy giant of a man, who had such a large network of friends around the world, took the time to befriend me and keep in touch for so many years.

The "mustard seed" of Del's faith grew into a mighty redwood tree, whose roots spanned the world, and whose branches sheltered -- and provided -- for many throughout the world.

It is not hard for me to imagine Jesus welcoming Del to heaven with the words "Well done, good and faithful servant". No truer words were ever said!

May Del's legacy on earth continue through each of us who he called his friends, and may His soul rest in peace with the Lord.

In deepest respect and admiration-

Jay Montalbano

Gloria Knapstad

September 4, 2008

Thank you, Del for all you did for the world, for all who knew you, for being such a man of light and love. You certainly walked your talk in all you did.

I am grateful for your wonderful memory--of remembering little details about all the people you knew. How I appreciated your remembering all about my husband although you had seen him only a few times.

How kind you were to write letters to those who had lost loved ones or had physical challenges---all in your own clear handwriting.

Who and what you are is why so many people in Africa, India, Japan and other countries say your name joyfully and with reverence. You touched more lives than anyone else I know and you did so with humbleness, simplicity, sincerity, love, and caring.

You lived the scripture where we are asked What does the Lord require of you? To seek justice, kindness and to walk humbly with the Lord. You were a true servant of the Lord.

Thank you for being a part of my life and for teaching me so many things about life.
Gloria

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