Akiko Anderson

I just got the news today that my dear friend Akiko had passed away on May 23rd. We met over 30 years ago in Springfield, VA, where we both had our own businesses. We had kept in touch over the years and many moves. Since we both shared the wanderlust bug, we had been traveling together annually to historic Europe and even exotic destinations. Switzerland was one of our more memorable with train and gondola rides, especially to the Matterhorn. Unfortunately, this season has passed. I will...

I considered Akiko a dear friend, and we hiked together hundreds of times over many years. I used to tell her that she was my "hero" because she was so able and active even at her advanced age. I've moved down to San Diego from the area but still go back up at least once a year, each time planning a hike with Akiko and another mutual friend Lisa, and, in fact, had a hike planned with them in late July. Fighting the tears but remembering a special person.

I received the sad news from Oregon yesterday that a dear friend and former coworker passed away. Akiko and I worked together at UofM from 1983-89. I taught her to change the oil in her Toyota one weekend and we've been friends ever since. Akiko was Japanese, married to a US serviceman who was stationed in Japan. I never knew she was closer in age to my mother (7 years younger) than she was to me until two years ago! She was always proper/private about such things, but she was interesting,...