Roger Douglas Anderson, of Rushford, Minn., passed away on September 6, 2023. Roger was born November 28, 1939, in Rushford, Minn., to Anita (Hovde) and John Peter (J.P.) Anderson. He graduated from Houston High School in 1957. After graduation, he joined the U. S. Air Force with great encouragement and transportation provided by his father.
He was an adventurous child and acquired a love of travel both internationally and domestic, which he pursued after the Air Force. Over the years, he spent time on The Marshal Islands, Wake, Midway, Hawaii, Washington and Alaska working on oil exploration, surveying, and oceanography. He also lived in Santa Barbara, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Tomah, finally settling back in Rushford, Minn.
He made friends wherever he traveled and had a big heart. Roger was a lifelong entrepreneur actively engaged in funding businesses and individuals… he was a visionary and a dreamer.
Roger was a member of the Rushford Lutheran Church and was actively involved in the Masons. Roger actively worked to rebuild the Masonic temple in Rushford after the flood in 2007, and participated in many programs to assist the youth in the area, such as the bike giveway.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents John Peter (JP) and Anita Anderson, brother-in-law Fran Becker, his aunts and uncles Les Hovde, Earl and Tim Anderson, Marvin and June Anderson and former wife Antoinette (Tony) Anderson.
Roger is survived by four siblings: Sandy Becker of South St. Paul, Peggy Krock of The Villages, Fla., Holly (Matt) Van Zant of Orlando, Fla., and Richard Anderson of Rushford, Minn.; four nieces: Tami, Jenny, Traci and Cindy, their children and grandchildren.
An informal celebration of Roger’s life is being planned for 10 a.m., September 29, 2023, at the Lutheran Church in Rushford, Minn. We encourage friends to bring stories to share with us all. Roger would only smile when we asked for details.
In lieu of flowers, all donations and memorials will be divided to Disabled Veterans, Good Shepherd Nursing Home and Stroke Foundation. Cards can be mailed to his sister Sandy Becker at 805 8th Avenue South, South St. Paul, Minn., 55075.
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