Byron "Beau" Anderson

1944 - 2024

BYRON "BEAU" ANDERSON
Born: July 13, 1944 in DENVER, CO
Died: September 15, 2024 in DEKALB, IL
Byron "Beau" Anderson passed away at Oak Crest in DeKalb on Sunday, September 15 surrounded by his wife Bonnie, step-daughter Danica, and bonus daughter, Anne.
Beau was born to Dorothy and Paul Anderson in Denver, Colorado in 1944. While Colorado offered much for this avid skier and hiker, he left in 1970 to serve two-years in VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) - a program in the War on Poverty - assigned to serve in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Beau worked in the inner city south side at a store front community center. Social Justice was very important to him all through his life.
He stayed on in Milwaukee to finish his college degrees. This resulted in a job as a reference librarian at NIU starting in 1985. His work as a reference librarian helped patrons find information they were looking for, and he ultimately became Associate Dean of Libraries. His book, ALTERNATIVE PUBLISHERS OF BOOKS IN NORTH AMERICA, was published with 6 editions. He had over 35 peer- reviewed book reviews dealing with ecology and published in Green Journals.
In 1993, Beau met Bonnie, the love of his life. They married in 1995 and celebrated their honeymoon by climbing Longs Peak in the Rockies. They walked hand in hand through life until he could no longer walk.
Beau was a quiet, gentle spirit with an amazing sense of humor. His dedication to The Nature Conservancy was strong, and he believed in leaving as small a footprint as possible upon this earth.
After retirement Beau actively volunteered with the Salvation Army food pantry and The Family Services Country Store. He was serious about his health, exercising daily. Beau and Bonnie did a lot of bike riding, and hiking over the years. An avid reader of history he would spend a majority of his time lost in a book.
Beau and Bonnie always had a dog or two. They occasionally took in dogs for those in need of family care. His family loves to think of all the dogs of his life waiting to greet him now.
Beau was predeceased by his parents and brother, Calvin.
Survivors include wife, Bonnie; a sister, Eloise; nephew, Ken, nieces Cheryl, Shirley, and Charlene; step family-daughter Danica Billingsly (Doug), son Clay Siefken (Stephanie Montgomery), grandchildren Woodfin Billingsly, Katrina Siefken, Mark Billingsly, Kairo Montgomery-Loder, Toby Siefken, Ian Montgomery-Loder, Brandish Billingsly, Finn Siefken; and bonus daughter Anne Canavan (Chris Blankenship).
We give our heartfelt thanks to the CNAs and Nurses at the Oak Crest Health Center for their cheerful loving care, and to Unity Hospice for helping navigate Beau's last days.
Beau chose a green burial, which will be private. A memorial service at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb will be held at a later date.
Anderson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. For more information, visit www.andersonfuneralhomeltd.com or call 815-756-1022.