Robert Willard Andersen

Bob Andersen was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 14, 1932. He attended high school at South High School when he was not skipping school to go out with his future wife Dorothy Garrison. Their dates were often going out to eat and both bringing a book to read. Bob was in the military from 1954 to 1960. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. He talked about being in Alaska before it was a state, often bringing it up during the cold Minnesota winters. He would make certain that you knew that no matter how cold it was, he had been in colder weather. He married Dorothy Garrison on February 14, 1955. He tried to teach her how to drive but after one lesson gone awry, she decided she did not want to learn. They lived in Minneapolis where they had their sons James (Jay) in 1955 and Pete in 1959. He loved camping and belonged to a group called the Roving Robins. The group would go to a different campground once a month. He also enjoyed attending races in Brainerd with his son Jay. His entire life changed after the birth of his first grandson, Brian Andersen. From this point on he was called Grandpa and he never looked back! Being Grandpa is what he did best! He moved to Pine City in 1994 to be closer to his son Pete. Bob was a machinist and loved talking about the work he was doing. After many years at FMC he eventually moved on to work at Stremel Manufacturing in Minneapolis. After many years as a machinist, he finally retired in 2008. Retirement did not slow him down but rather helped him focus on what made him most happy. He loved to be involved in his grandchildren’s' lives. On camping trips he would help Dorothy set up the camper and then made sure the grandkids were asleep before he would leave and go to work the night shift. He was always back in the morning for breakfast. He enjoyed taking his grandkids and “adopted” grandkids to new places such as Chicago and Wisconsin Dells. Sticking closer to home he enjoyed going to the Science Museum, Minnesota Zoo, Como Zoo, and Mall of America. He also introduced us to the Renaissance Festival and loved watching the Puke & Snot show. He never complained about waiting for us to go on rides at Valley Fair. Instead of watching the circus or Disney on Ice show, he would watch the kids’ faces for their reactions and smile and laugh when they did. He also enjoyed being a provider of food whether it was pizza at a volleyball tournament, doughnuts at gymnastics practice, or food at his house where he not only allowed us to hang out, but encouraged it. Never being a cook, he preferred instead to frequent places such as McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Nicoll's Café, and Subway. He became a regular at these places and everyone was willing to help him out so he could enjoy a good meal. Bob touched the lives of everyone he met and will always be remembered as a generous, loving man. Bob died May 29, 2013 at Fairview Hospital in Wyoming, Minnesota at the age of 81. Bob is survived by his sister Phyllis (Robert) Redmond; Daughters-in-law: Susan Marie (Andersen) Welch, Jacque MacKnight; Grandchildren: Brian Andersen, Danielle Claesges, Sarah Andersen, Jessica Karas, Dorothy Karas; Great grandchildren: Morgan, Dylan, Allison, Corrine, Deven, Kaitlyn, Ericka, Jillian, Brody, Jaxon, Madilynn. Bob is preceded in death by his parents Willard & Susan (Bohan) Andersen, Wife Dorothy (Garrison) Andersen, Sons: James “Jay” Andersen, Willard “Pete” Andersen. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 4th @ Hillside Funeral Chapel, 2610 19th Ave. NE, Minneapolis. Visitation will be on Monday evening from 5:30 until 8:00 p.m. @ Swanson Funeral Chapel and on Tuesday beginning at 1:00 p.m. until time of service at Hillside Chapel. Interment with Military honors will be held at Hillside Memorial Cemetery in Minneapolis. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.