Mr. Clifton Wayne Anderson

Clifton Wayne Anderson passed from this life to eternal rest on Saturday April 5, 2014, two days past his 93rd birthday, at UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville, VA. Clif will be remembered by his family as a loving and compassionate, husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother in-law, and uncle. He will also be remembered as a true and loyal friend to those who had the privilege of knowing him. In his professional life, he was a dedicated collaborator and mentor, who demanded excellence from himself and encouraged the best in everyone. Clif was an intelligent, insightful and friendly spirit that inspired all who had the fortune to share his time in this world. Clif was born and raised in the Lutheran Church. His dedication, love and devotion to God, his savior and the Lutheran Church were his compass throughout his earthly existence. Clif was born in Wilmot, South Dakota to Albert and Alma Anderson. He grew up helping his father farm the land, and attended Wilmot public schools, graduating from Wilmot High School in 1939. He attended business school in Watertown, South Dakota and worked for a brief time at Baskerville and Dahl, before moving to Washington DC, where he worked for the War Department. He enlisted in the US Army in February of 1943 serving in the European Theater of Operations in the US Army Air Corps until his honorable discharge in November of 1945. After returning home he enrolled at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and graduated from the UM School of Law in 1949. Clif married Erma Marie McCullough that same year. They shared 65 years of marriage and were blessed with three sons. As part of the new mobile society, Clif spent many hours on the road driving and flying in DC3's as one of the original, post war "road warriors". Despite long hours and poor weather, Cliff would often travel all night on Friday to be home with his family for the weekend. As Clif moved through the business world, he and Erma were often relocated, spending time in Cedar Rapids IA, Ft. Dodge, IA, Pekin, IL, and Indianapolis, IN. In Indiana, Clif worked for the Bobbs Merrill / Howard Sams Publishing Company as a law editor. During their time there, Clif and Erma were devout members of Cross and Crown Lutheran Church, and were involved in many leadership positions. Clif and Erma's final move was to Charlottesville, VA in 1977, where Clif was employed by the Michie Law Publishing Company as a law editor until his retirement in 1991. A staunch Republican he served the party faithfully in several capacities over his many years of involvement in both Indiana and Virginia state and local politics. Clif and Erma were founding members of Peace Lutheran Church in Charlottesville, VA. Clif served two elected terms as the Secretary of the Virginia Synod ELCA, and was instrumental in writing the Virginia Synod constitution. In addition to Erma, his wife of 65 years, Clif is survived by three sons, Kim (Mary Jo) of Santa Rosa, CA, Kevin, of Raleigh NC, and Eric, who resides in Charlottesville. Clif is also survived by granddaughter, Lauren Elizabeth Anderson of Salinas, CA, and his dearest sister Myla Kneeland of Summit, South Dakota, nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents and brother, Ray S. Anderson. A memorial service in his honor will be held at Peace Lutheran Church on Thursday April 24th, 2014 at 10:00am. Clif requested that memorial gifts be made to Peace Lutheran Church, Charlottesville, VA www.plchurch.org or the Virginia Synod ELCA, www.vasynod.org .