Warren M. Anderson

of Binghamton Warren M. Anderson, of Binghamton, N.Y., died at Wilson Memorial Regional Medical Center on Friday, June 1, 2007, at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife, Ruth W. Anderson. He was predeceased by Eleanor S. Anderson, to whom he was married for 55 years until her death in 1996. He is also survived by four sons and daughters-in-law, W. David and Margaret Anderson, Darien, Conn., Lawrence and Karen Anderson, Castle Creek, N.Y., Richard and Elizabeth Anderson, Hillcrest, N.Y., and Thomas and Lisa Anderson, Marblehead, Mass.; and also by his stepchildren, Melissa Bennett, Boston, Mass., Beryl and Christopher Bryan, Milwaukee, Wis., and Berkeley Bennett, San Diego, Calif. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren, Rachel, David, Shain, Lindy, Ellie, Julia, and Carter Anderson. He was a graduate of Colgate University and Albany Law School. During World War II he served as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army's Judge Advocate General's Department. Following World War II he served as Assistant County Attorney for Broome County before joining Binghamton law firm Hinman, Howard & Kattell in 1949, becoming a partner in 1952, a position he maintained until his death. In 1953 he was elected to the New York State Senate seat which was previously occupied by his father, Floyd E. Anderson, who retired from the Senate to become a New York Supreme Court Judge. He continuously served in the N.Y.S. Senate from his first election until his retirement in 1988. In 1973 he was elected President Pro Tem and Majority Leader of the Senate, a position he held until his retirement, a leadership tenure unsurpassed in the history of the N.Y.S. Senate. While he is credited with having a leadership role in the effort to save New York City from bankruptcy in 1975, one of his lesser known legislative accomplishments in which he took pride was chairmanship of the committee which rewrote New York's Business Corporation Law. He was an active and loyal Republican beginning with his college years. He served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention for many years and was a member of its platform committee in 1972. He was a strong advocate for quality education and devoted much of his time and efforts to supporting various educational institutions and endeavors. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees of both Colgate University and Elmira College and chaired Colgate's presidential search committee. He was also a member of Colgate's Presidents Club and Maroon Council. He was a member of the Advisory Committee of the Government Law Center, Albany Law School and a member of the Board of Overseers, Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government. He also helped to create New York's Tuition Assistance Program and was a strong supporter of the SUNY school system, including Binghamton University. Following his retirement from the Senate, he remained active with many state and local organizations, including the State Commission on Judicial Nominations. He was also a member of a number of clubs and organizations including Sons of the American Revolution, Post 80, American Legion, 21 Club, Live Wire Club, R & A Club, Austin Putting Academy, and Kannibal Klub. He had deep New York roots including ancestors in Schoharie County who had the misfortune of being the first settlers in the region to have their barn burned by the British during the American Revolution. His loyalty to New York extended to many sports teams including the N.Y. Yankees, the N.Y. Giants and the Colgate Red Raiders. The family will have a private funeral with no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Chenango Street in Binghamton at a date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either the Warren M. Anderson Scholarship Fund, c/o Colgate University, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, N.Y. 13346; Binghamton Boys and Girls Club, 257 Washington Avenue, Binghamton, N.Y. 13901; or the local charity of your choice.