Gordon Richard Anderson, age 92, died on Whidbey Island on March 25, 2023. He was born in Seattle, April 17, 1930 to Max Anderson and Virginia Thompson Anderson.
Gordon was the oldest of three boys. From an early age he knew what he wanted. At four years old he made up this poem: “When I am as big as my dad, I will have a gold watch and fob, and I will ask Santa Claus for a job”. Growing up in South Park he loved to ride his horse and sell newspapers to Boeing workers coming off the night shift during WWII.
He graduated from Cleveland High School in 1948 and served in the Marine Corp Reserve until he was recruited into the Army and served on the Army National Rifle Team where he traveled the country, competing and winning many awards. After the Army he graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Industrial Arts.
Gordon married Anne in 1959, built their first home on Mercer Island and began looking for the perfect beach. They found that beach at Double Bluff on Whidbey Island. In 1964, he built their next home and spent the rest of his life on that perfect beach in Useless Bay.
He spent several winters working and skiing in Sun Valley Idaho, a place he and Anne loved so much they would return every year for the next 60 years to ski and hike. He and Anne continued to ski until he was 82.
Gordon had an adventuresome spirit, understood what he wanted and had no trouble making decisions. His wife Anne shared that love of adventure, trusted his judgment and together they created an amazing life for themselves and the children.
In the early years Gordon worked construction on the atomic bomb testing facility on Amchitka, the southernmost island in the Aleutians. He would later share the Alaska adventures with Anne and his children having them join him for summers while building tribal housing in remote villages.
He was a meticulous custom home builder who believed in doing things right. He built more than 50 homes on the South end of Whidbey, many for neighbors who became friends and continued to call him back to work on their homes until he was well into his 80s.
He was a skilled craftsman, homebuilder, businessman and wise investor. He loved skiing, hiking, boating and creating a spectacular garden with Anne. He had a keen sense of humor and a sharp wit that never failed to entertain us even to his last day. He will be missed by his family and those who were lucky enough to have known him.
He is survived by his wife of over 63 years, Anne Werner Anderson. Children: Christine Anderson (Duane Rawson) of Lagoon Point, Cynthia Anderson Ray of Spokane, Wendy Anderson (Jack Hutt) of Shoreline, Keith Anderson of Freeland and Maren Anderson (Mark Tienhaara) of Camano Island. Grandchildren: Randi Ray Schmidt (Josh Schmidt), Vreni Hutt and Cole Hutt. Great grandchild: Mason Schmidt. Brother: Robert Anderson (Shirley). He was proceeded in death by his brother James Anderson and James’ wife Sherry.
