Robert Anderson

Services for Robert Anderson, 85, of Andover, will be 10:30 am, Friday at Zion Lutheran Church, Andover. Rev. Lloyd Redhage will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton. www.paetznick-garness.com. Military honors will be provided by the Andover American Legion Post #258.

Visitation will be held at the funeral chapel Thursday from 4-8pm with a prayer service at 7:00pm. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

Bob passed away December 2, 2007 at Sun Dial Manor in Bristol.

Robert George Anderson was born on August 1, 1922 to Peter W. and Tina M. (Johnson) Anderson at the teacherige in Andover, SD. He attended school in Andover, graduating in 1940. Following school, he worked at the Civil Conservation Corps in Rapid City. He later took off with three friends for California, where they planned to make their millions. When the war broke out, Bob returned to South Dakota to join the United States Navy from his home state. He served on the USS New Mexico in the South Pacific. His ship suffered three kamikaze attacks killing numerous sailors and an admiral. After the peace treaty was signed, he was discharged in May of 1946, and returned home to Andover to farm with his father. On September 20, 1952 he united in marriage with Arlene Torguson in Groton. Together the couple made their home in Andover.

Bob was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Andover and had been an American Legion member for 61 years. He also served on the South Dakota Wheat Growers Board, Church Council, Town Board, and County ASC Committee. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, living in South Dakota and spending time with his family.

Grateful for having shared in his life is his wife, Arlene of Groton, two children; Kevin (Donna) Anderson of Andover, Karma (LeRoy) Smith of Loveland, Colorado, four grandchildren; Amber Sokoll, Kory Anderson, Scott Anderson, Chance Smith and one great-grandson, Drake Anderson.

Preceding him in death were his parents and an infant sister, Beverly.

Honorary Casketbearers will be Dick Voss, Wally Moore, Everett Morehouse, Clarence Hannon, Members of the Andover Legion Post #258 and all of his friends from hunting, fishing and Anderson Machinery.

Casketbearers will be Jerry Raap, Harold Slinden, Keith Haney, Kent Delaney, Jerry Anderson, Jim Marx and Bob Schuring.