Kent Alan Anderson

1952 - 2022

Dr. Kent Alan Anderson, 69, transitioned from this life on July 31, 2022, at his home in Dolores. He passed while surrounded by those who loved him most - his wife Maxine, his sister Nancy, and his children, Jordan and Laura.

Kent was born to Dr. Harold Edward and Mary Vivian (Spomer) Anderson on Dec. 6, 1952, in Battle Creek, Mich. Kent was a devout Seventh Day Adventist and was an active member of the Cortez SDA Church for more than 30 years.

He attended Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich., where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1975. He graduated Doctor of Dental Surgery from Loma Linda University in California in 1980.

While in dental school, Kent spent a semester working at an LLU-run clinic in Monument Valley, Ariz., and resided in Cortez. He fell in love with the Southwest and moved to Cortez where he worked in a dental practice for several years before taking over the dental clinic in Mancos.

He met his wife, Maxine, in 1984. After maintaining a long-distance relationship for a year, the pair decided they were ready for the "M-word." They were married on May 26, 1985, in Van Nuys, Calif., and settled in Cortez. They welcomed their first son Jordan in 1986, their daughter Laura in 1988 and shortly thereafter moved to their Dolores home.

In 1995, Kent sold his Mancos practice and enlisted in the U.S. Public Health Services as a Commission Corp Officer for Indian Health Services (IHS). Over the course of his career for IHS, Kent had the honor of working as a dentist with various American Indian tribes across the Southwest, most recently at the Ute Mountain Health Center in Towaoc. He retired as Captain of the Commission Corp in 2019.

Kent touched many, many lives over the course of his career. He was a quiet individual with an infectious smile. He had an adventurous spirit, and the Anderson family (including sister Nancy) took many wonderful vacations to various destinations in the U.S. and beyond.

He was an avid lover and collector of art and an artist in his own right. He enjoyed golfing with Maxine, building model trains, tending his chicken coop, and working on household projects. A Michigander till the end, Kent loved all sports Michigan, including University of Michigan, the ever-embattled Detroit Lions, and the Detroit Red Wings. His favorite team of all was the Detroit Tigers.

Kent is survived by his wife Maxine Ulyate Anderson, his son Jordan Robert Anderson, his daughter Laura Anderson Riley (Nathan Riley), and his sister Dr. Nancy Jean Anderson (Craig Dove). He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Mary Anderson, and his brother Robert Stephan Anderson.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Kent on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at 4 p.m. at the Seventh Day Adventist Church at 540 West 4th Street in Cortez. In lieu of flowers, Kent's family asks that donations be made in his honor to Hospice of Montezuma at www.hospiceofmontezuma.org/giving/ or by calling (970) 565-4400.