Dr. Paul N. Anderson

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, to Nels Paul E. Anderson and Doris Marie Chestnut, he was the oldest of his brothers, John Wesley Anderson and James Anton Anderson. He was happily married to his wife, Dee Ann Hipps, since 1965. Together, they have been the proud parents of two children, Anne Christen (Chrissy) and Mary Kathleen (Kathy). They have also become the blessed grandparents of 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Paul was inspired to pursue the medical profession by his father’s work as a doctor. He began his studies at the University of Colorado, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1959 and a Doctor of Medicine in 1963. He then joined the Johns Hopkins Hospital for an Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine between 1963 and 1965. In 1965 he began his work with the U.S. Public Health Service as a Research Associate and was a Staff Associate at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

He held a Fellowship in Oncology, his chosen specialty, from 1970 to 1972 and was an Assistant Professor of Medicine from 1972 to 1976. He has been recognized as a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Board of Medical Management, and the American Board of Medical Oncology. Paul first joined the University of Colorado as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine in 1976. He became a Clinical Associate Professor in 1990, a position he held until 2006.

Paul became the Director of the Penrose Cancer Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado, from 1976 to 1986. He was a member of the Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers in the US Oncology Network from 1986 to 2006. Alongside his career responsibilities he remained active with the Pikes Peak Form for Health Care Ethics and the Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers in Colorado Springs. He spent time as the Founding Director of the Cancer Center of Colorado Springs and the Medical Director of the Southern Colorado Cancer Program. He was also involved with the Preferred Physicians Medical Group, the Colorado Cancer Control and Research Panel, The Cancer Information Service of Colorado, Oncology Management Network Inc., and Timberline Medical Associates, of which he was President and Co-Founder. He held a number of positions with the American Medical Association, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Association of American Cancer Institutes, the National Cancer Institute, the Association of Community Cancer Centers, and the Rocky Mountain Oncology Society.

Paul involved himself in a variety of civic endeavors as well. He was a member of the Colorado governor’s Breast Cancer Control Commision and Rocky Flats Employee Health Assessment Group. He served as a Founder and Director of the Southern Colorado AIDS Project, a member of the Colorado Health Network, and was on the board for the Colorado Board of Health’s tumor registry and the Chair of the ethics committee of the El Paso County Medical Society. He was also Co-Chair of the Colorado Springs Medical-Legal Ethics Club, a position he held until his health prevented his participation.

He was one of the participating founders of, and a Legacy Board Member of, Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care. After having served on the quality committee, and as a volunteer physician, the family chose to use this agency to support his “End of Life” care. The support and care provided by the nurses and staff was invaluable in supporting the family during the last 6 months.

Paul was deeply committed to loving and supporting his family and friends. In retirement he was cherished as a beacon for both family and friends for his wisdom and knowledge as well as his calm and supportive nature when facing the challenges of life. The depth of his wisdom, commitment, and thoughtfulness towards others has been profoundly felt by all who knew him.

Among his keepsakes was the document, “Desiderata” which was found in the old St. Paul’s Church, Baltimore, MD, dated 1692. It states, “Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others.” Paul will be remembered by all as such a man.

Paul is survived by his wife, Dee Ann H. Anderson, Daughter Chrissy Hammel-Peterson and husband Rocky Peterson, Daughter Kathy Dobyns and husband Michael Dobyns, Grandchildren: Madelyn Triz (Husband Nathan Triz, sons Dawes and Awden Triz), Kaitlyn DeNardo (Husband Paul DeNardo, sons Hudson and William Denardo), Kyla Jean (son Leo Henry). Hannah Turpin (Husband Tori Turpin, daughter Sage and son Jude Turpin), Ian Hammel (Wife Hannah Hammel, sons Grayson and Griffin Hammel), Jessica Schmid (Husband Jeremy Schmid), Mikayla Dobyns, Megan Hammel, Tara Dobyns, and Brittany Gibson (Husband Kyle Gibson, son Easton and daughter Blake Gibson).

A Celebration of Life will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 420 North Nevada Ave, 80903, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 on February 11, 2023 at 11:00am. A live stream of the service will be available at 10:45 am at www.fumc-cs.org/memorial-service-videos . Donations can be made to Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care, the First United Methodist Church, or a charity of choice. A light lunch will follow the service. Please visit Swan Law online to leave condolences and messages for the family.