Robert G. Anderson

1923 - 2025

Robert G. Anderson

November 18, 1923 - September 1, 2025

Tacoma, Washington - Robert G. Anderson (Bob) was born in Emporium, PA, on November 18, 1923, to George R. and Carrie Z. Anderson. He had 4 siblings: Shirley, Alice, Don, and Joan and is survived by sister Joan (Jo) Barratt. Bob is also survived by his wife of over 76 years, Alice (Lindberg), brother-in-law, Glen Lindberg, and Bob's three sons: Robert G. Jr. (Judy); Steven J. (Lisa), and Thomas C. (Laura). Bob and Alice have 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Bob graduated from Kane High School in Kane, PA, in 1941. After 2 semesters at St. Bonaventure College in Olean, NY, he volunteered and served 4 years of active duty in the United States Army in both the European and Pacific theaters. His European service included Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge before being transferred to Base X in the Philippines. He rose to the rank of Master Sergeant (Sergeant Major) and held this rank for just over 2 years in Engineer Combat Group Headquarters Companies in both Europe and the Pacific.

Returning to civilian life, Bob attended the University of Pittsburgh where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. At Pitt, he participated in the marching band, the concert band, the orchestra, and was one of the founding members of Pitt's chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi-the honorary band fraternity. He was also a life member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

After graduation, Bob took a job with the Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company in the Building Products Division. During Bob's training period in Minneapolis, he met the love of his life, Alice Lindberg. After a brief 6-week courtship, they were married in Minneapolis on December 28, 1948.

Bob's career path took his family from Minneapolis to Collingswood, NJ; Harrisburg, PA; Boise, ID; and finally, Lakewood, WA. His entire career was focused on wood products for the construction industry. His final 20 years were spent with the American Plywood Association (APA) now known as the "APA Engineered Wood Products Association." His work was largely in market research, economic forecasting, and planning. Over the course of his career, he was privileged to represent the industry before many state and national government bodies as well as industry groups. His forecasts were quoted in not only local and trade media but also in the Wall Street Journal and the Congressional Record.

Bob's work involved extensive national and international travel. He was fortunate to have been accompanied by Alice for many of those trips. They shared a love for seeing beautiful and historic sites around the world, connecting with ancestral homes, and having Alice pick the perfect table when it was time to dine.

Bob was active in the Lutheran Church and served as an officer on Church Councils in both Minneapolis and Lakewood. He sang in church choirs for over 70 years and enjoyed his 20 years singing with the Normanna Male Chorus of Tacoma. Bob enjoyed golf and played regularly into his 90s. He had 3 holes-in-one with the last being at age 87. He served on the board and many committees at Oakbrook Golf and Country Club.

Throughout his life, Bob was a person who wrote letters. They included daily letters to Alice when he was away on business trips during their early years (letters which Alice has saved); letters to kids at camp or while away at college; letters to President Obama about the economy; and letters to the Food Committee at Narrows Glen Senior Living. Anyone who was lucky enough to receive one of his letters knows that Bob was a person who deeply cared and cared about a lot of things. Bob was also known to have a perpetual twinkle in his eye. The twinkle and brightness, which was there until the very end, prompted many to questions his age-including a clerk at BevMo who requested ID when he was a mere 99 years old!

Bob is thankful for his family and his many friends whose support and memories will live on. Bob was one of the last living members of the Greatest Generation will be remembered for being one of its greatest.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.