Leonard Walter Anderson

Leonard Walter Anderson BEAUFORT, SC - Leonard Walter Anderson, 84, of Beaufort, died Monday, August 24, 2015 at his home. A service will be held at Brooks Funeral Home on Thursday, August 27, 2015 at 2:00 PM, with Rev. John Carlisto officiating. Burial will be private in Oriental. In keeping with Len's request, informal dress is appropriate for his service. Born in Chicago, Illinois on August 25, 1930 to Elmer Clarence and Martha Hansen Anderson, and raised in nearby Lake Bluff, his formative years - during the Great Depression - forged in him self-reliance and resourcefulness put well to use over the course of his years. Gifted with great natural ability and a unique sense of focus and determination, he welcomed competitive challenge. As a young man, he excelled as multi-sport athlete; in particular, as quarterback for three years with the undefeated Lake Forest High School football team. Offered a tryout - as pitcher - with the Chicago Cubs, he declined, opting instead to pursue a college education on football scholarship at Yale University. Midway through his junior year, Len withdrew, and enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps, became an officer and served in the Korean conflict. Len always considered his time with the Corps as the defining years of his life. Upon his return from the Marine Corps, Len married Marilyn Goodman, a native of Wilmington, NC, re-enrolled at Yale and completed his studies there, followed by graduate work at the Harvard Business School. Later, he became a leading executive with Carolina By-Products in Greensboro, NC, guiding that company through development of its Chemol subsidiary, and several other operations. An accomplished bluegrass banjo player, Len enjoyed many good times and harmony among musician friends on his sailing vessels, most notably his boat, Banjo. In "retirement", he became a charter captain of Banjo, and with first mate, Susan Sanders, built a series of coastal retail stores, Harbor Specialties. As an aside, he was a gifted craftsman, and co-founded two non-profit organizations. He is survived by his long standing first mate, Susan Sanders, of Beaufort; three sons, Leonard Walter Anderson, Jr., Karl Goodman Anderson, and his wife, Christine, all of Greensboro, and William Berndt Anderson of Pawleys Island, SC; his wife, friend, and mother of his sons, Marilyn Goodman Anderson, and 7 grandchildren, Sparks Anderson, Sidney Anderson, Grace Anderson, Caroline Anderson, Cecelia Anderson, Berndt Anderson and Ellen Marilyn Anderson. In addition to his parents, Len was preceded in death by his brother, Ray Anderson and sister, Delores Clark. The family will receive friends at Brooks Funeral Home, Thursday, August 27, 2015, from 1:00 PM, to 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in Len's name to: The Harbor Historical Association of Georgetown, P.O. Box 2288, Georgetown, SC 29442, or the North Carolina Boat Building Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 566, Beaufort, NC 28516, or to the charity of one's choice. Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. of Morehead City. Access online obituary and Internet condolences through www.brooksfuneralhomeandcrematory.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston