Robert Barndt Anderson

Madison-Robert Barndt Anderson died at his home on Saturday March 7, 2009. He was born September 12, 1918, in Minneapolis, MN, the son of Ethel (Phillips) and Barndt A. Anderson. He served for 4 1/2 years in the Army during WWII from 1941-45. As a Cryptographic Technician in the Signal Core, he traveled over the Burma Stillwell Road from Chabur, India to Kunming China. He had graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN in 1941 and after the war from Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary in Minneapolis, MN in 1948. He served as a pastor of the Lutheran Church in America in the Wisconsin congregations of Portage, Milwaukee and Monona. His last parish was Gloria Dei in Hancolck, MI. He served on many boards and committees of the church, in recognition of which he was given an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree by Carhage College in Kenosha, WI. He also served as an administrator of Oakwood Lutheran Homes in Madison when the apartment for independent living (the Towers) was built. In 2004, he and Blanche moved into Oakwood where they have resided since. He and Blanche are parents of three daughters: Catherine (Steve) Solter of Wellesley, MA; Cindy Keene of Tomah, WI (friend Todd McGrath); and Roberta (Ted) Walczak of Sparta. Bob, as he was known by most, was the proud grandfather of Micah, Amanda, Benjamin and Noah Solter, Jerod and Andrew Keene, Nicholas and Mark Walczak. He and Blanche traveled a great deal to visit their daughter who worked in Ethiopia, Kenya, Afghanistan, Indonesia, and the Philippines. In 1963 Bob and Blanche attended the Lutheran World Federation meeting in Helsinski, Finland. From there they traveled to many capitals of Europe and with a group of clergy families who were close friends. He has been a member of Luther Memorial Church in Madison, and served 2 years as President of the Residents Association of Oakwood Village West. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Interfaith Hospitality Network. A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at Luther Memorial Church, 1021 University Ave., Madison. His ashes will be interred at the Columbarium there during the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Oakwood Foundation or The Road Home. Cress Funeral & Cremation Service