Robert C. Anderson

ROBERT C. ANDERSON HIGHLAND, IN
Robert C. Anderson, retired newspaper publisher, died May 16, 2008. A resident of Highland, IN since 1954, he was born June 24, 1927 to Russell and Edith Anderson. He grew up in Chicago, IL graduating from Burnside Elementary, Fenger High School and The University of Chicago. He did post graduate work at Northwestern School of Journalism. Bob worked for the South Side News and The Courier community newspapers while at the university. As a teenager, Bob was a leader in Boy Scout Troop 764 and the youth group at the Vincent Methodist Church in Chicago. He married his wonderful wife, Mildred Schlueter of Crown Point in 1950 and several weeks later was drafted into the U.S. Army. He spent his Army time in Salsburg, Austria working for the Fifth Army Newspaper. Bob returned to the states in 1952 to work for the Crown Point Register for a short time before he joined the Lansing Journal in Illinois as a display salesperson and then in addition to its editor, he worked in Lansing for many years for five different publishers until he became publisher of The Journal Newspaper Group, The Calumet Day and The Daily Calumet. He was also promoted to Vice President of Panax Chicago Division overseeing Litho Type and Midwest Press in Lansing plus the Rantoul Press of Rantoul, IL. Bob retired in 1985 to start his own newspaper consulting business. He served as the Vice President of The Illinois Press Association, board member of the Illinois Press Foundation and worked to raise funds for the Illinois Press Association's first building in in Springfield, IL. He was an active member of the Suburban Press Association and was the president of The Cook County Publishers Association for several terms. Bob was a member of the board of directors of The South Chicago Bank of Chicago and Advance Bank. Active in his church, Bob was a charter member of Redeemer Lutheran Church of Highland where he held many positions including elder, congregational president, Sunday School superintendent and teacher. He served the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church on committees and the Indiana Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Bob served his church also as president of the board of directors of the Lutheran Home of Crown Point for many years (now Wittenberg Lutheran Village). He was active in the Calumet Lutheran Mission Association with the Lake County Fair booth ministry and worship services. He was also a trustee of the Concordia Cemetery. Active for many years in the International Lutheran Laymens League, Bob was Calumet Zone President, Indiana District President and Governor of Region 4 which took in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Bob was active in many civic groups while publisher of the newspapers including chamber of commerces. He was serving on the board of the Southeast Chicago Development Commission from its founding and was instrumental in starting the organization's Observer newspaper for South East Chicago. Besides his beloved wife of 57 years, Bob leaves three children: son, David L. Anderson of Kokomo, IN; two daughters: Paula Carlson (Charles) of Homewood, IL and Janet Meilner (Rev. William) of Lewiston, MN; six grandchildren whom he loved dearly: Julie, John, Kate, Matthew, Luke and Sarah; four step-grandchildren all of IL: Chris Carlson (Joana), Craig Carlson (Darlene), Keith Carlson (Linda) and Kenneth Carlson (Tera); and seven loving step great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind one brother, Richard Anderson (Dorothy); and brother-in-law, Henry Schlueter (Sharon) all of Lowell, IN; and sister- in-law, Judy Schlueter of Spencer, IN. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Donald Anderson; and brother-in-law, Milton Schlueter. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 9009 Kennedy Ave., Highland, IN with Rev. Arthur Burkman officiating. Interment Concordia Cemetery, Hammond, IN. Visitation will be Monday, May 19, 2008 at the Solan-Pruzin Funeral Home, corner of Main Street and Kennedy Ave., Schererville, IN from 3:00-8:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be given to Redeemer Lutheran Church, International Lutheran Laymens League of St. Louis or Wittenberg Lutheran Village of Crown Point.