Robert J. Anders

Robert James ""Bob"" Anders, age 75, passed away at University Hospital in Madison, Saturday morning, December 6, 2008. Bob was born in Brainerd, Minnesota on January 13, 1933. He was the fourth of six children born to Milton. F. and Katherine L. (Jay) Anders. Bob attended high school in Moorhead, Minnesota where, in the eleventh grade, in 1950, he joined the North Dakota Air National Guard, 178th Fighter Squadron. His Squadron was called to active duty and sent to Iceland as part of the Air Defense Force under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (N.A.T.O.), during the Korean War. During that time he served in the United States Air Force from April of 1951 through December of 1952. Bob was an aircraft mechanic and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was honorably discharged and returned home to Moorhead. Bob married Margaret Ann Erstad in 1955 and they were soon blessed with their only child, Stephanie Lee, in November of 1955. Bob graduated from North Dakota State University (N.D.S.U.) in Fargo, June of 1961 with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the College of Agriculture, with a major in Bacteriology, and minors in Veterinary Science and Journalism. Although his work took him toward science, Bob enjoyed writing all of his life. The family moved to the Madison area in 1962. Bob's studies at N.D.S.U. prepared him well for work in research at the University of Wisconsin, and later at Oscar Mayer. After 20 years, Bob retired from Oscar Mayer in 1992 as an Oscar Mayer Honorary Life Member. Bob continually took courses in his field at the University of Wisconsin and at Oscar Mayer throughout his career. Bob may be best known in the Madison area for his service on the Dane County Board of Supervisors, where he was re-elected to represent the 29th District eight times, from 1974 to 1990. As a County Supervisor, Bob served actively on many other boards and numerous committees. He chaired the Dane County Board Committee on Public Protection when the 9-1-1 system was inaugurated. As a County Supervisor Bob was one of the early leaders in protecting our environment. Along with his wife, Bob was a tireless public servant committed to those with disabilities in this community. In addition to many other boards, Bob served on the board of the non-profit organization, Portal-Foster, Inc. until the day he died. His wife, Margaret, and both of his parents preceded Bob in death. He is survived by his daughter, Stephanie, who still lives in Madison; his three brothers; two sisters; three half-sisters; and numerous nieces and nephews who all benefited from having him in their lives. He will be missed. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 12, 2008 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, with a visitation one hour prior to services. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. Bob was dedicated to his family and to his work in microbiology. He requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to one of the following non-profits that serve his handicapped daughter and that Bob and his wife worked with for many years: Lutheran Social Services, 5 Odana Court, Madison, WI 53719; Portal-Foster, Inc., P.O. Box 5025, Madison, WI 53705-0025; or Pathways of Wisconsin, 22 North Hancock, Madison, WI 53704.