Robert Anderson

A Celebration of a Life Well-Lived for Mr. Robert F. Anderson will be held Saturday, March 23rd at 1 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Cookeville. The family will receive friends at 12 noon in Fellowship Hall until the service begins. Interment with military honors will be this summer at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Bob passed away at the age of 96 on Thursday, March 14, 2019 following a brief illness at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was born on March 2, 1923 in Sioux City, Iowa to Robert Oxel Anderson and Anna Kivedra Anderson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Steenhoek. Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Virginia (Ginny) Jane Ward Anderson, whom he married November 18, 1948 in Springfield, MO; daughters Ann Duff of Alexandria, VA, Jane Anderson of Little Rock, AR and Roberta Bromley of Cincinnati, OH; sons-in-law, Michael Duff and Joel Bromley; four grandchildren, Ben Bromley, Sarah Brand, Weston Rice and Henry Rice; two great-grandchildren, Lily Bromley and Robert Whitman Brand. Upon news of Pearl Harbor, Bob immediately enlisted in the Army Air Corps serving as 1st Lieutenant Navigator in the 381 Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force. Shot down and parachuting into Holland in 1943, he was rescued by a Dutch family before being later captured by the SS, held in Germany until the camp was liberated by Gen. Patton. Returning from WWII, Bob resumed his education, graduating from Iowa State University in 1948 in Dairy Science. Moving to Springfield, MO, he met and, within 3 months, married the love of his life, Ginny. His career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture meant moves to St. Louis, MO, Erie, KS, Kansas City and Washington, DC. After 20 years, he left the Federal Government to become the Executive Director of the National Cheese Institute and the American Butter Institute for the next 20 years, based in Chicago and Alexandria, VA, where he received high respect within the industries and retired in 1991. The Andersons, with the freedom to move anywhere they chose and looking for a community where they could become involved and volunteer, found Cookeville! For many years, Bob tutored 4th graders at Northeast Elementary School, taught English as a Second Language, assisted at the Visitor Center, used his gardening skills as an original member of the Rose Society and was active in the church having previously served as an Elder in Arlington, VA, Western Springs, IL and Alexandria, VA. Always quick with a wise comment and laugh, Bob thoroughly enjoyed history, reading and his roses, especially red ones. Memorial contributions in Bob's name may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Cookeville (20 N. Dixie Ave. Cookeville, TN). A bench in his honor is now at Dogwood Park, overlooking the Rose Society's garden. Spend some time there and celebrate Bob Anderson, our dear friend, husband, dad and champion, then hug your family close. Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 Visit hhhfunerals.com to share a memory or condolence.