KEVIN ANDERSON

Dr. Kevin John Anderson Age 54, of Gainesville, FL, passed away on June 15, 2010 after a 19-month courageous fight with brain cancer (anaplastic astrocytoma). Kevin was born on July 19, 1955 in Seattle, WA. He grew up in Sumner and graduated from Sumner High School with the class of 1973, playing football as a center on his dad's football team. He went on to be a dedicated WSU Cougar, graduating with a B.S. in Biology in 1977. After working as a teaching assistant for 2 years, he then completed his M.S. in Zoology at WSU in 1981. His devotion and interest in anatomy took him to the University of Kentucky for a PhD in Neuroanatomy in 1984. After completing 4 years of post doctorate research at the University of California, Irvine, Kevin began a teaching and research career in 1988 at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He was an Associate Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology in the Department of Physiological Sciences. In 1994, Dr. Anderson was awarded the C.E. Cornelius Young Investigator Award in the College of Veterinary Medicine for his research on brain receptors. He taught gross anatomy to 22 classes of 1st year veterinary students. He had a passion for teaching and was greatly loved by peers and students. He received the college-wide Teacher of the Year in 1990 and 2010, Basic Sciences Teacher of the Year in 1993, 1997 and 2007 and Freshman Teacher of the Year for the classes of 1992, 1995, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2012. He directed the Merial summer research fellowship program for veterinary students. Kevin had many interests outside of his professional career, which included volunteering as a guardian ad litum for the Gainesville legal system, serving children of the community. Although always a loyal Cougar, he was also a passionate U of F Gator. His love of recreational biking led him to be a member of Team Vet Med, a group of cyclists who ride regularly to raise money for student scholarships. Because of his devotion to the Vet Med department and to Team Vet Med, a scholarship has been established in his honor. Kevin is survived by his loving wife, Michelle, his children Jonathon and Brett, parents John and Myrna Anderson, brothers Brian and Eric (Nancy), and sister Kerri (Dean) Inglin, and was predeceased by his brother Craig. He is also survived by Jackie Burke, mother of his children, as well as many loving and admiring nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at Mt. View Lutheran Church in Puyallup, WA on Saturday, July 10th, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Instead of flowers, donations can be made for brain cancer research through the National Brain Tumor Society at www.braintumor.org or by phone at 1-800-770-8287, Kevin Anderson Vet Med Scholarship at University of Florida, or to a memorial of your choice.