Robert Anderson

Memorials may be made to the St. James Area Hospice Program at St. James Medical Center; the Andreas Cancer Center at Immanuel St. Joseph Hospital in Mankato, Minn.; or the American Cancer Society. Robert Verlyn (R.V. or Bob) Anderson, 83, died December 8, 2009 at his home in St. James, Minn. He was born November 3, 1926 in Hayfield, Minn. and attended Austin Public Schools. Enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1945, he served aboard the destroyer, U.S.S. Knapp in the Pacific during World War II. He married Doris Blaha of Claremont, Minn., and they celebrated 47 years of marriage prior to her death in 1993. In 1997, he wed Darlene Nelson Olson of St. James. R.V. was a long-time businessman in St. James. He was employed at Scherr Tumico (now S.T. Industries) for 25 years, where he became Vice President of Sales and Chief Marketing Officer. For fifteen years, he and his late wife, Doris, owned and operated the R.V. Anderson Chevrolet-Buick, Inc. car dealership. From 1987 - 2005, he partnered with his son, Mike Anderson and daughter, Mimi Axford in Parts Supply and Machine of St. James. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and St. James Industries Foundation. R.V. enjoyed fishing, camping with friends and playing his accordion. He was also an avid pilot for many years. He is preceded in death by his late wife, Doris; his mother and father; seven brothers and three sisters, and one step-son, Boyd Olson. He is survived by his wife, Darlene, six children: Cynthia (and James) Black of Apple Valley, Minn.; Terrance T.W. (and Dixie) Anderson of Wichita, Kansas; Deborah Searles (and Randy Funkhouser) of Rochester, Minn; R. Michael Mike (and Cheri) Anderson of St. James; Jeffrey (and Char) Anderson of Everett, Washington; and Melanie Mimi (and Keith) Axford of St. James; along with four step-children: Julie (and Brian) Wassman of Scandia, Minn.; Trudy (and Arden) Vogt of Stacy, Minn., and Nancy Hagen of Andover, Minn., as well as 62 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.