Timothy Ray Anderson

1952 - 2024

TIMOTHY RAY ANDERSON

June 5, 1952 – July 29, 2024

Bakersfield – Dr. Tim Anderson, a decades long Bakersfield veterinarian and partner at Southwest & Stiern Veterinary Hospitals has died after a five-year struggle with Lewy Body Dementia. His brilliant, well-educated scientific mind showed early signs of the disease a couple of years after his own mother succumbed to the same debilitating fate. He was 72.

Tim was born in Dodge City, Kansas and grew up in El Dorado not far from Wichita where he graduated from high school in 1970. He played trumpet and was vice-president of his high school band council, enjoyed basketball, tennis and golf. After spending the summer with his veterinarian uncle in Massachusetts, he enrolled at Kansas State University to study veterinary medicine where he received his D.V.M. degree in 1977. Shortly after, Tim migrated to Bakersfield accepting a position at the veterinary hospital where he spent his entire 41-year career helping the community with their beloved animals ultimately becoming a partner. Tim loved California and Bakersfield in particular where he identified his mid-west roots of hard work and dedication to every animal he treated.

His success allowed him to travel the world in his later years and share his insights and humor with a wide circle of friends and growing extended family. Never one to shy from a natural curiosity and always inquisitive mind, often over a lemon-drop martini, his delightful personality made him a radiant addition to the joys of living life to the fullest extent. He loved comedy, all genres of music, his newfound art of growing bonsai and a good laugh often displayed in his own sardonic wit. Tim remained physically active throughout his adult life often golfing, skiing, hiking and enjoying the wonders of the Golden State and beyond from the grounded pride he felt for his Bakersfield community.

Tim is survived by his loving wife Linda, whom he met at the veterinary hospital; a daughter Christy Mai and grandsons, Braxton and Cooper of Greensboro, North Carolina; brother Mark Anderson, his wife Vickie and nephew Ben of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and sister Jill Moore, her husband Bill and nephew Revan of Erie, Colorado. Additionally, a host of friends, colleagues, clients and extended family of in-laws celebrate his amazing life of love. He will be greatly missed by all who enjoyed his infectious smile and laugh.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be sent in his honor to the UCLA School of Neurology & Neuroscience where Tim received ongoing care from the time his disease began to manifest, and to further dementia research in the scientific community benefiting future generations in finding a path through brain disorders, as follows:

Online: https://eastonad.ucla.edu/research Phone: 424-325-9310

www.bakersfield.com/obits