Robert Wallace Anderson, MD
West Des Moines
Robert W. Anderson, also known as "Bob", "Andy" or "Dr. Bob" passed away on Tuesday, April 23, 2013. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 26, 2013 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Hamilton's on Westown, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 27, at 2:30 p.m. at Grand View Lutheran Church, 2930 E. 13th St., Des Moines, IA. Private burial will be at Iowa Veterans Cemetery.
Bob was born on June 27, 1928 to Swedish immigrants Fred and Emily Anderson. He was raised in Snooseville on the northeast side of Des Moines and had three sisters and one brother. Bob graduated from East High in 1946. While at East High, Bob met Marjorie, the love of his life. Bob enlisted in the Navy out of high school and served his country as a Navy corpsman for two years before beginning college on his trek to becoming a medical doctor. Bob attended Grand View College for two years and transferred to the University of Iowa to complete his BS degree and begin medical school. He graduated from medical school in 1955, interned at Iowa Methodist Hospital and continued his residency at Blank Children's Hospital under the direction of Dr. Lee Forest Hill. Dr. Bob continued his post graduate work at the University of Iowa and Mass General in Boston.
This began Bob's journey of building what was to become one of the largest pediatric and referral practices in the state of Iowa. He was Chief of Pediatrics at Blank Children's Hospital, Iowa Lutheran Hospital, and Broadlawns General Hospital. He stayed at his office until the last sick child was seen and spent countless hours counseling his teenaged patients and their families against alcohol and drug abuse.
Bob donated innumerable hours back to the community. He was the pediatrician in charge of the Booth Salvation Army Hospital for unwed mothers. He served as the team doctor for the East High football team for 37 years. He started two of the first free well baby clinics at the churches, Corinthian Baptist and Grand View Lutheran, with his wife, Marjorie Anderson, RNBS, and the late Dr. George Caudill on a volunteer basis. In addition, Bob, with the help of others, was instrumental in getting the neonatal intensive care nursery started at Blank Children's Hospital, served for ten years as the chairman of the Sports Doctors Committee for the Iowa High School Athletic Association and countless other activities. Bob was an active member of Grand View Lutheran Church and Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Naples, FL.
Many activities have taken up Bob's spare time. Bob has had season tickets to the Iowa Hawkeye football games since 1949. He enjoyed hunting pheasants, fishing for walleyes in the boundary waters, boating and watching sunsets on Bonita Beach. Family was first and foremost. Bob has never forgotten his roots and is proud to say he was from the East side.
Bob has resided at Edgewater in West Des Moines and Bonita Beach, FL, with his wife of 63 years, Marjorie. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; daughters, Marilyn Anderson Reese (Rick), Kathlyn Bailey (Tom); grandchildren, Rich (Kent Simmer), Bobby, and Aubrey Reese, Lee Erin Barker (Derek), Lindsay (Chad Willis), and Joel Gannon (Emma Cropp); and two great-grandchildren, Sonja Henderson and Wesley Barker. In addition, Bob is survived by Jean McKinney (John) and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Helen Hunter and Eleanor Hagen; and brother, Walter.
Memorials may be given to Corinthian Free Clinic, 814 School St., Des Moines, IA 50309 or to Grand View Lutheran Church. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
I miss you so much, Dad.
Kathy
Family
April 19, 2022
He was my pediatrician and I remember him fondly. I was always very excited about receiving gumdrops at the end of my visit. :-) God Bless
Jennifer O'Dea
May 28, 2013
Bob will be missed by all of his Doctor Friends, and he had many. He always had the respect of all of the hospital staff. He was such a good pediatrician and loved by all of his patients. Yes, we will miss him.
Joel Teigland,MD
May 11, 2013
Bob was as warm and caring as he was smart and professional. I knew him from a young age when he would frequent our Dad's drug store, always friendly and interested in hearing what other people had to say. Later, while I was in Pharmacy School at Drake, he offered to let me make hospital rounds with him twice a week so that I could get a firsthand idea of what would be involved in hospital practice. During that time, I gained a new appreciation for how skilled he was at putting his patients and their families at ease, even under the worst of situations. I may have never chosen the professional path I did if it hadn't been for Bob's kindness to me and his willingness to put aside so much time for my education. That crown must be so full of jewels, it's difficult to keep upright on his head!
May God bless the entire family at this time of loss.
Bill Johnson
April 27, 2013
Dr Bob was our childrens dr. If it wasn't for him our oldest daughter Jodie wouldn't be with us now. God Bless you
Gary & Judy Bacon
April 27, 2013
I greatly enjoyed and appreciated Dr. Anderson as a young practicing nurse and later as a parent. He was candid, forthright, honest and very respected. As a pediatrician so many children and families benefited from the gifts he freely shared. His devotion to children and medicine was unparalleled. He will indeed be missed but his legacy lives on through many.
Connie Isaacson
April 26, 2013
Dr. Bob was my son's pediatrician until he retired from practice as well as my friend and college at Blank Children's Hospital & the Free Clinic at Corinthian. He was a much loved person at Blank as well as a wonderful educator for all of us nurses. He never refused to answer a question or explain something to a stressed out new Mom or a nurse on the units. He will be fondly remebered by all. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Peggy Spaur
April 26, 2013
My Prays are with the family,he took care of my children when they were young such a wonderful doctor, will be missed.
Barb Wright
April 26, 2013
It was such an honor to have known and worked with both of you! Thanks for your blessed lives. May the Lord bless and comfort you Marjorie!
Gene Van Zee
April 26, 2013
Dr. Bob will be greatly missed, He was Me my Sister and my Brother,s Pediatrician. Will never forget his jar of spice drops he would let you choose from at the end of every appointment. And the shot he would give behind the left shoulder and not on the side of your arm so it wouldnt show when you grew older. My Mom used to say If Dr.anderson would tell me to jump i would!! Our parents were great friends and members of Grandview Luthern. Our prayers are with you always. The Beardsley Family(Kristin,Kelly and Chip)
Kristin Beardsley Griffiths
April 26, 2013
We are sorry to hear about your loss. May the God of all comfort comfort you and your family at this time.
April 26, 2013
A wonderful person. A very friendly member of Grand View Church.
Debbie Neustadt
April 25, 2013
OUR CHILDREN ARE ALL GROWN UP BUT I REMEMBER HIM AS THEIR DOCTOR WHEN THEY WERE LITTLE, REALLY TRUSTED HIM WITH OUR CHILDREN
April 25, 2013
We think of Bob often and fondly. He was a great influence in the lives of many, including ours.
Dave & Barb Johnson
April 25, 2013
an extremely acomplished and kind gentleman. I'm blessed to have have known him and witnessed his passion for family and life.
Love to all his family,
Tom Gannon
April 25, 2013
Dr. Bob helped a lot of people in his life! My prayers are with all of you in his wonderful family. God bless you all. Pat McManus
April 25, 2013
Marilyn,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
Tom Indelicato
April 25, 2013
Dr. Anderson was a great guy and a fine Doctor. We shared a lot of things...same high school, neighborhood, college, church, and Swedish heritage. He was our children's doctor and started practice with my pediatrician. We will miss him greatly. Arnold Erickson, Ankeny
Arnold Erickson
April 25, 2013
Dr. Anderson will forever have a special place in my heart. His infectious smile and his individualized practice of medicine were second to none. He will be greatly missed by all that were fortunate enough to have met him. We will all forever keep the fond memories close. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.
Tricia Beasley
April 25, 2013
My sympathy to the family for their loss.
linda ultang powers
April 25, 2013
Dr. Anderson was a very common, down to earth man, especially considering his very uncommon accomplishments and contributions.
Terry Mayberry
April 25, 2013
Dr. Anderson was a very common, down to earth man especially considering his very uncommon accomplishments and contributions.
Terry Mayberry
April 25, 2013
Doctor Bob was a very generous person, with both his talents and his time. It has a been a privilege to have known him personally for the past sixteen years and by his reputation of many decades previously. Hundreds of individuals life's have been touched by Bob's relationship with them.
Dick Jacobson
April 25, 2013
Doctor Bob was a very generous person, with both his talents and his time. It has a been a privilege to have known him for the past sixteen years.
Dick Jacobson
April 25, 2013
Showing 1 - 24 of 24 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more