Dr. Robert C. Anderson

Funeral Services for Dr. Robert C. Anderson will be conducted from the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend David Sites and Intern Margaret Jacobus, officiating. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.

Dr. Robert Clifford Anderson, 77 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at Holdrege Memorial Homes. Dr. Anderson was born February 18, 1932 in the family home in Holdrege, the youngest of three children to Clifford S. and Linnea (Johnson) Anderson.

Bob was baptized by his grandfather, Rev. B. O. Johnson on July 10, 1934 at Wilcox, Pennsylvania, who previously was Pastor at Moses Hill Covenant Church in Phelps County. He was confirmed at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege in 1946 by Pastor Paul Cassel.

Bob received his primary education at Holdrege and graduated from Holdrege High School with the class of 1950. In the fall of his senior year he was stricken with polio, leaving him with his characteristic walk.

He received his B.S. degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1957 from Nebraska University Medical College in Omaha. He interned at Methodist Hospital in Omaha and upon completion of his internship he began his practice at Ainsworth, Nebraska. He returned to Holdrege in November of 1967 and established the Family Medical Clinic. When he moved to Holdrege, he was the youngest of eleven doctors by 10 years and when retired, he was the oldest of nine doctors by 10 years. He delivered 3,049 babies in his years of medical practice.

While in medical school he met Mary Anna Carlson and the couple was united in marriage on July 14, 1956 at the New Gottland Lutheran Church in McPherson, Kansas. To this union three sons were born: Robert Scott, Mark Thomas, and Daniel Paul.

Dr. Anderson was board certified in family practice and was a 50-year member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He was on the faculty of the Nebraska Medical School, serving as a preceptor for medical students to gain knowledge in rural medicine, and a 50-year member of the Nebraska Medical Society. He served as president of the Phelps Memorial Hospital for six terms. He admitted the first patients to the hospital when it opened in April of 1968.

He was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church. Here he served as president of the Church Council, taught Sunday School, sang bass in the Chancel Choir, enjoyed an early morning men's Bible study, and loved listening to the children say their Bible verses at Wings. He was commissioned a Stephen Minister in 1999 and enjoyed visiting residents at both Nursing Homes and shut-ins. He was a delegate to the ELCA Nebraska Synod several times and served on the Nebraska Synod Council. He attended two General Assemblies of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as a voting member from the State of Nebraska.

Dr. Anderson served on school boards in Ainsworth and Holdrege. He was president of both boards, and also served on the Board of Directors of the Nebraska School Board Association for six years. He enjoyed serving as team physician for Holdrege High School for 19 years. He as a member of Rotary International, was a Paul Harris Fellow, and served on the Travelogue Committee for many years. He and his wife, Mary Anna, were the 2002 Swedish King and Queen. He was a past board member of the Phelps County Community Foundation and was involved in the raising of funds for The Tassel. He enjoyed music, and played French horn in the University of Nebraska Symphonic Concert Band. Singing in "The Group" for ten years was a special activity for him.

Due to some health issues, he retired in 1990, so that he could enjoy doing some of his other interests. He enjoyed gardening, golfing, woodworking, stamp and match cover collecting, helping his wife deliver Meals on Wheels, playing pool with his friends, going to their summer cabin in Colorado, and most of all his family. He and his wife traveled outside the country and to their sons' homes for special family events. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2006.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Mary Anna of Holdrege; his three sons: Dr. Scott Anderson and his wife, Sandy of Fort Collins, Colorado, Mark Anderson and his wife, Delia of New Lenox, Illinois, and Dr. Dan Anderson and his wife, Karen of Mankato, Minnesota; seven grandchildren: Dan and Krista Anderson, of Fort Collins, Tyler Anderson and Marissa Ruiz of New Lenox, and Rachel, Matthew, and Stephanie Anderson all of Mankato; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Wilbur Anderson of Holdrege, Dr. Gordon Carlson and his wife, Kathy of Rolla, Missouri, and Carolyn Haase of Lansing, Michigan; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Besides his parents, Dr. Anderson was preceded in death by two sisters: Imogene Anderson at age 9 and Mrs. (Wilbur) Ardelle Anderson, and brother-in-law, Rev. James Haase.

Dr. Anderson will lie in state at Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home at Holdrege on Friday, February 27, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Memorials have been established in his memory and kindly suggested to the Bethel Lutheran Church, the Phelps County Community Foundation, Global Health Ministries, or the charity of your choice.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.