Our beloved Bernie L. Anderson passed away peacefully at home on January 4, 2019 surrounded by his family. Born of Swedish heritage in Oak Park, Minnesota on September 22, 1937 to Rudolph "Rudy" Anderson and Helen (Nelson) Anderson, he was the second eldest of twelve children. He graduated from Winnebago High School and attended the University of Minnesota. In 1958 he moved to Orange County, California where he would meet his future wife, Connie Downer of Balboa Island. Throughout his life he was physically active, both as a participant and a fan of sports. For so many years he frequently, along with family and close family friends, went on water skiing and dirt biking excursions. For over two decades, he organized the annual Ghost Rider Enduro for the Training Wheels Motorcycle Club with his life-long pals Ned Jones and Royce English. He also looked forward to watching college and high school sports, and the methanol-fueled dirt bikes at Speedway. He followed Costa Mesa High School Football, Orange Coast College Men's and Vanguard's Women's basketball teams. And, with his brother Darwin, he followed the women of Vanguard to two NAIA final four basketball tournaments. More recently, he cheered on his granddaughter (Jessica) on the Orange Coast College's Women's Crew team. Tinkering and fabricating was in his blood and with his skilled hands he completed countless projects ranging from home improvements and backyard hardscaping to garage organizing and all manner of things mechanical to several innovative sports-related contraptions. Friendly and affable by nature, he was sought by family and friends to help fix broken down motorcycles and jet boats. He leveraged his people skills and mechanical aptitude in a 37-year career with Sully-Miller in the heavy equipment construction and road building business. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Connie; daughter, Jody Anderson (Roubanis); sons, Todd and Eric Anderson; granddaughter, Jessica Engelbart; grandsons, Aris and Alex Roubanis; great-granddaughter, Emma Marie Roubanis; brothers, Lowell, Vincent, Darwin, Roger, Joel, Ross, Rollie and Royce; and sister, Merodie. Funeral arrangements are being made by Harbor Lawn Mortuary in Costa Mesa, CA.WL00193640-image-1.jpg

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Published by Orange County Register on Mar. 26, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Bernie Anderson

Sponsored by Harbor Lawn-Mt. Olive Memorial Park & Mortuary.

3 Entries

E C

April 1, 2019

I am sorry that Bernie passed away. The span of our life is 70 years or 80 if we are especially strong. Psalm 90:10

Bill Woolston

April 1, 2019

To Bernie Andersons family. My deepest sympathies in hearing of Bernies passing. I knew Bernie when I came to work for Sully Miller in 1976 as a dispatcher in our Long Beach office. Once in the field I became a foremen for our LA county division. Occasionally I would work with him on some Orange County projects. He was always organized and had our work scheduled upon our arrival so we could hit the ground running. A few years later I was transferred full time to our Orange County office located in the city Orange on Santiago Canyon Rd. I was very pleased to find out my new superintendent was going to be Bernie. We worked together on some great jobs. Warmington Homes in Chino Hills and a Standard Pacific Homes in Anaheim Hills to name a few. Bernie always treated me fairly and was a true mentor. He loved to show me how to figure out the square footage on cul-de-sacs or dog legs. He was very patience with me. I was a bit of a slow leaner when it came to math. We never missed a scheduled paving date ever. We even received a letter of commendation on completing a road for Standard Pacific two days before a predicted rainstorm (no one thought it was going to rain because it was June) Bernie supported my decision to work late into the evening so we could get the road based in the next day. The storm came in as projected but with no consequence. The developer was able to get to the site and continue to work on building the homes and stay on schedule. He was always supportive of me and always had my back. Work started to slow in 89 and I was asked to go to work for in the Equipment division and run Traffic Control for our Orange County jobs. Bernie wanted to fight to keep me but knew this was the best career choice for me at this time. He and my own father agreed Best to do want the boss wants you to do We stayed in touch until his retirement. I regret not thanking him for all he did for me as I received my 40th anniversary pin 4 years ago. I wanted him to know I listened to him and continued to do what my boss asked me to do. I wanted him to know it did all work out. I was promoted to the Equipment Division Manager for Sully- Miller in 2008. I will have worked for Sully 44 years this November. I can say I have been born of several fathers while working here at Sully-Miller and Bernie was one of them. I looked up to him. He was a true leader. He had a great sense of humor and always tried to see the good in people. I was out of town and unable to attend his memorial Friday. I hope these words help to give you some comfort knowing how he took the time to help me and others become better individuals and leading by example. My prayers go to your family and Bernie. God Bless-Bill Woolston

Your neighbor..

March 29, 2019

Our sincere condolences to the Anderson family in the loss of your dear love one. Our prayers are as yours, that God provide his care and comfort you each day.
Psalms 145:18,19

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