Gerald "Jerry" R. Anderson
Mar 5, 1928 - Dec 8, 2013
Resident of Campbell
We are saddened by the loss of our dear father, loving husband and good friend, Jerry Anderson on December 8, 2013. He was the son of Albert and Berniece Anderson and was born March 5, 1928 in Stockton, CA. He grew up in Bellota on a walnut ranch near Linden/Stockton. He learned to fly while going to summer school at Parks College of Aero Technology, St. Louis University, while he was still in high school, getting his pilot's license at an early age. He then went on to graduate from Parks College with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, followed by a second degree in Mathematics from College of Pacific in Stockton. It was here that he met his future wife, Melanie "Pat" Ohm. After getting married on December 23, 1950, he then went to serve in the Korean War. Upon his return, he and Pat started their family, raising 3 daughters in Campbell.
Jerry earned his professional license as a Mechanical Engineer and worked at FMC Corp (Canning Division) in San Jose for 28 years, earning 36 patents along the way. He then became a consulting engineer, working on robotic and medical equipment and many other varied projects. He retired at age 70 after his third cardiac bypass surgery, having had 3 bypass surgeries in his life, each performed 11 years apart.
He was devoted to his family and cherished spending time with them. He enjoyed many travels and especially enjoyed the water, including relaxing in Hawaii and watching the Pacific Coast surf. He continued to enjoy flying, whether it was in a helicopter overlooking the volcanoes, a seaplane in Alaska, a glider or a hot air balloon in California. After retirement, he developed new passions of cooking and woodworking, including many projects with his daughter's house remodel and in his own home. Over the years, he was also very committed to Anderson Barngrover Ranch Co., Inc., his extended family's walnut ranch in Linden. He served on the Board for over 50 years without ever missing a single Board meeting and served as President for almost 20 years. He was instrumental with his careful listening, patience, fairness and problem solving ideas in helping to keep the Ranch going during some difficult times.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Pat; his 3 daughters, Esse Carol Lyle, Melanie Anderson, Barbara Bargetto and son-in-law Martin Bargetto; his 3 grandchildren, Jeff Lyle, Lily Bargetto and Lucas Bargetto, his nephew, Chris Jackson and numerous cousins, who will all miss him very much. He was preceded in death by his sister, Joan Jackson. The family is also grateful for the care and support by caregiver, Gelila "Semira" Negash and his multiple doctors. At his wishes, he generously donated his body to the Stanford Medicine Willed Body Program. Services will be private. Memorial contributions can be made to
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Published in Santa Cruz Sentinel on Dec. 14, 2013
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