Robert C. "Bob" Anderson

1929 - 2021

Robert Carl Anderson, of Seattle, died peacefully at his residence on Queen Anne the evening of July 8th, just a few days before his 92nd birthday. Bob was born July 11, 1929 in Portland, OR, the son of Carl John Anderson and Helen Anderson (Budlong). Shortly after his birth the family moved to Seattle, WA where Bob grew up. He graduated from Roosevelt High School and then the University of Washington where he received a BA in Labor Economics. While at the UW he met his wife, Dona. Bob and Dona were married on Christmas day, 1950. He was a veteran with six years of service, including active duty with the Naval Air Service during the Korean War.

Bob and Dona raised their four children in her hometown of Everett, WA. where he held jobs at Scott Paper Company and the West Coast Telephone Company. Most notably, in 1968 he was elected mayor of Everett, WA where he served two terms, until 1977. He was proud to be able to help the Boeing company establish its 747-Jumbo jet plant at Paine Field; he often credited his staff for their ideas and teamwork in effecting Boeing's decision. This began the phasing out of the pulp and paper industry and the growth of light industry and technical business along the I-5 corridor from King County and counties north to the Canadian border.

In 1978, Governor Dixy Lee Ray appointed Bob as the Director of the Washington State Department of Commerce and Economic Development. In this capacity he traveled to China with the Governor and met Deng Xiaoping. Bob was particularly proud of being a founding President and Director of the Washington State China Relations Council.

Bob held numerous positions, including: President, Washington Association of Cities; Executive Vice President, Washington Bankers Association; Chair, Washington State Public Works Trust Fund Board; Trade Consultant to the Snohomish County government; Chair, Board of Directors, Export Finance Assistance Center of Washington; Marketing and Commercial Director for General Telephone Company. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Puget Sound Council of Governments and Chairman of the Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Commission. He was a former school board member and trustee of Everett Community College.

Bob loved sailing, rowing, running, his monthly book club...and nice cars…Bob loved cars, and owned more than 25 different models over the years. He thoroughly enjoyed keeping his cars in pristine condition and he never met a car he couldn't tell you a story about.

Bob was passionate about international trade and cross-cultural understanding. He and Dona, a noted fiber artist, enjoyed traveling all over the world. Bob shared his wife's passion for art which took them to Europe, China, Japan, India, Mexico, Central America, Indonesia and many counties in Africa. Together they helped raise funds for the Everett Performing Arts Center as well as Everett's renowned Schack Art Center.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle; he was the eldest of brothers, Ken, Roger and Rick Anderson. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Kenneth B. Anderson and Roger K. Anderson. He is survived by his wife Dona and their four children, Dave (Nita), Carol Kafer, Doug (Tessie), Dick (Teresa) and his brother, Richard T. Anderson (Margie). He will be missed by grandchildren Micah Hutt (Katie), Mara Wollen (Ryan), Arielle Mayer, Karley Kafer, Taylor Anderson Thomas, as well as several great-grandchildren. Bob will also be missed by numerous nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful for the services of Cogir Senior Living Center of Queen Anne and Kline-Galland Hospice. In remembrance of Bob, kindly consider a donation to the Schack Art Center in Everett, WA.

A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Everett September 11th 1:00pm with a reception to follow.

July 11, 1929 - July 8, 2021