Ray Keith Anderson
1922 - 2007
Ray Keith Anderson
1922 - 2007
Obituary
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Ray Anderson Obituary
He worked as a firefighter with the 361st Air Service until February of 1946. During the time, he met and married Agnes Lindeman. His only child, Daryl Ault was born Aug. 5, 1945. Keith and Agnes ended their wartime romance by divorcing in 1947.
Keith earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Lewis and Clarke College in 1953. He was honored by Phi Delta Kappa as "Outstanding Junior Man In Teacher Education." He received his Masters of Education in 1958 from the University of Oregon. It was during this time that he met and married his partner of 50 years, Audrei Voelker.
Together, they made their home the Portland area And Keith worked in secondary education as a teacher and an administrator for the Portland Public Schools. He capped off his career in Eugene, OR at the University of Oregon in 1982, having served as a Professor of Philosophy. Audrey and Keith enjoyed their retirement years residing in Eugene. Gifted with high intellect, Keith was an avid reader and lifelong learner.
He is proceeded in death by his cherished Audrey in May of 2006. His last year of life was spent near his only surviving sibling and wife, Harvey and Nancy Anderson, of Troutdale. He is survived by this brother and wife, his son, Daryl and wife Lena of Olympia, Washington, two grand-children Jeff Ault (Kimberly) and Cynthia Ault and six great grandchildren. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews including Dan, Elizabeth, Sonya and Spencer.
The family wishes to thank friends Suzie Liles and Bob Buskirk for their care and friendship. At Keith's request, there will not be a memorial service. His remains will be joined with those of his wife, Audrey at the Oregon coast.
We'll miss you, Uncle Smoke!
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4 Entries
Nancy McCrea
September 6, 2007
I was so sorry to learn of Keith’s death and about Audrey’s death also. Keith and Audrey were great friends of my parents and were my friends, too. My Dad met Keith when they both taught at Grant probably 50 years ago. At that time, Keith and Audrey lived in our Parkrose neighborhood, too, and we spent a lot of time with them. They had a piano in their house on San Rafael I loved to play. When I was 9, Keith found a piano he thought I should have; we purchased it and I started piano lessons. Keith and Audrey loved reading and books and gave me many beautiful books on my birthdays and at Christmas that I still have: a complete set of Shakespeare, Anderson’s Fairytales and Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, to name just a few. Audrey confided in me once that she would have loved to have been a librarian. I feel that Keith and Audrey had a part in my becoming a librarian, so nurturing were they about reading. Later they moved to their lovely house on the West side of Portland on Santa Anita Terrace. They had a little alcove in their living room that was just perfect for the Noble fir they decorated each year. In the basement were hundreds of books but also Audrey’s loom where she created many beautiful pieces. We also spent many weekends with Keith and Audrey at their cabin on the Zig Zag River. It was rustic, with a woodstove and a pump for water, but it had a wonderful stone fireplace and loads of atmosphere. There was a book of children’s stories there that I looked forward to reading everytime we came and Audrey also had a great spool of paper for coloring and abundant crayons. I remember well the rushing sound of the Zigzag and the small minnows that swam in its most shallow parts. The best part of all, of course, was the company. Keith and Audrey were a wonderful part of my childhood and I will always miss them.
Cameron Suttles
September 1, 2007
I was saddened to see the notice in today's Oregonian. I am forever indebted to "Mr. Anderson," as I knew him -- my high school teacher from 1967.
That was Lincoln High School in Portland, where he taught "American Problems" to seniors like me, about to enter young adulthood and the "Summer of Love" or to get shipped off to Vietnam. Keith opened our minds, encouraging us to read books as diverse as Vance Packard's "The Hidden Persuaders" and the Upanishads.
He always listened and treated every student with great respect. He held out the highest expectations for every one of us. I know for me, he made a profound impact on my life. After years of dreadful teachers, prone to humiliating children, especially quiet and shy kids like me, Mr. Anderson was the first to truly raise my sense of self-worth in the classroom.
Upon registering with the Selective Service System, I wanted to express my opposition to war and request a conscientious objector status. That's a hard thing to do when you are not a Quaker, let alone a member of any organized religion. My objection was moral and philosophical. Keith wrote a powerful and sensitive letter to the local Selective Service Board on my behalf. As it turned out I didn't receive a "1-0" status and ultimately rolled out of the lottery to a "4-F" (permanent deferment) status.
This was a difficult time in America, and Keith Anderson's compassion and his influence on me is something I will never forget.
My deepest condolences to the family.
Carol Harper
August 27, 2007
I was raised in KOSMOS, Wa. Daryl Ault lived just up the road with his mother. Living on Rainey Creek we as a community spend long days at the swimming hole. Agnes was one of our favorite lifeguards.
Maggie Gontrum
August 24, 2007
Peter and I met Keith and Audrey in the 1960's or early 70's, thanks to their friends on Coachman drive. I like the word "cherished" in the obituary, because they did indeed cherish each other, and were a very unusual couple. Later, Keith helped me compose a philosophy statement for the Eugene 4J School Board, when I was a member. I don't think I ever thanked him enough for his intelligent guidance, though I have never forgotten it.
Maggie Gontrum
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