Darrell Lester Anderson

Chef Darrell L. ANDERSON CEC, CCE, AAC, HOF Darrell Lester Anderson of Puyallup passed away on April 10, 2011 in Tacoma, Washington at age 81, just 2 weeks shy of his 82nd birthday after a 2 year illness. Born in Hood River, Oregon on April 27, 1929, the 2nd of three children to Jacob Peter and Ruth Hutson Anderson of Parkdale, Oregon. At his side was his longtime love and wife of 59 years, Catherine. Darrell grew up in a modest house built during the depression by his father on the family homestead in Parkdale. He attended Parkdale Grade and High Schools. He didn't really enjoy school, but he loved fishing and playing baseball, and was given the title 'Home Run King'. He always said he was lucky to have nothing because he appreciated everything. Darrell's passion became evident early in life. He was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War in November 1950 where he received his first formal Culinary training. After graduation he became the youngest Culinary Instructor at Fort Lewis. Darrell met Catherine Dickinson, the love of his life, when they were just 14 years old. They were married on September 8, 1951. That winter he left his new bride and was transferred to Camp Coe, Yokohama, Japan where he served 2 years. After leaving the Army in January 1953, Darrell attended the Edison Technical School of Culinary Arts (now Seattle Central Community College). After graduation in 1955, he moved his family to Federal Way. He was chef at several clubs in Washington, as well as owner/operator of Roses Hi-Way Inn, a Washington State landmark at that time. During this period, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce and President of the Federal Way Boys Club. He also owned and operated King Catering for 25 years. In 1967 he was named Dept. Head of the Culinary Arts Program for the Sea-Tac Occupational Skills Center (OSC) in Seattle. To quote a former student who is a successful chef today, "Darrell's enthusiasm was infectious providing more and more opportunities to learn". He graduated over 2,000 students over the years and retired in 1991. Chef Anderson has been a member of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Washington State Chefs Assoc. (WSCA) since 1955. He served on the Board of Directors for the ACF WSCA Chefs as well as numerous other positions including chapter president twice. He was also a member of the American Academy of Chefs (AAC) and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996. He was the first chef in Washington state to receive this award. In 2003 he received the AACs Good Taste Award and, also that year, the Western Region's Hermann G. Rusch Chefs Achievement Award. In 2006 he received the Antonin Careme Medal. He was a longtime member of the Escoffier Society of Seattle as well. He also was a member of the Golden Toque. In 1979 he was named ACF WSCA 'Chef of the Year'. The WSCA has also established a scholarship in his name. His titles included Certified Executive Chef (CEC), Certified Culinary Educator (CCE), American Academy of Chefs (AAC), Hall of Fame (HOF), and Chair Emeritus ACF Senior Chefs Committee. He was well known as a caring advocate for senior chefs. He also served as the national ACFs historian for many years. His personal papers were donated to Renton Technical College where they have a library in his name. Darrell is survived by his wife, Catherine, and their 4 children: Deborah Johnson of Puyallup, Dana Anderson of Matlock, Darwin Anderson of Anacortes and David Anderson of Cle Elum; along with his 2 sisters: Denzel Green and Doris Hill, both of Parkdale, OR. He had 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 23, in the Valley Chapel at Mountain View Memorial Park, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, WA, 98499. Donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation. Darrell was always the teacher and touched many lives. He will be greatly missed, but not forgotten.