Norman Dean Anderson

Norman Dean Anderson, age 94, of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on April 6, 2022. He was born January 29, 1928, to the late John Edwin and Effie Condra Anderson. The oldest of four, he was predeceased by his siblings Merrill, Eldon, and Linda.

Dad spent his childhood on the family farm in rural Iowa. Dad loved school and excelled in academics. His wonderful teachers instilled in him a love of learning and inspired him to pursue a career in education.

Upon graduation from high school, Dad enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in Japan. Following his service, he attended the University of Iowa where he received a B.A. in General Science and a M.A. in School Administration. Dad taught in the Iowa public schools for nine years. He further advanced his education by receiving a Ph.D. in science education from Ohio State University.

Dad joined the School of Education at North Carolina State University in 1963, and our family moved to Raleigh. His career as a professor allowed him to incorporate his passions for teaching, science, research, writing, and advising students. His love of teaching impacted the lives of many. He taught and mentored students in over 16 science education courses and authored/co-authored 32 books including a series of science textbooks for junior high school students. He was named Alumni Distinguished Professor and Professor Emeritus, inducted into the College of Education Hall of Fame at Ohio State University, and honored with the North Carolina Science Teachers Association Vi Hunsucker Award. Former students Steve and Jenny Oliver honored him with the establishment of a fellowship in education at NCSU, and he also received the NC State University Libraries Faculty Award. He retired from teaching in 1994 after 31 years.

Upon his retirement, Dad's interest in Ferris wheels provided him a new avenue for his writing and research passions. He authored two books on Ferris wheels and became a recognized global expert on the subject. He created and published 211 issues of The Ferris Wheel Newsletter to encourage research and interest in the history of the Ferris wheel, which attracted a worldwide audience. The newsletters also contained stories of his childhood and updates on our family. He amassed a collection of over 300 Ferris wheel models with contributions from friends and family. His extensive collection of publications, photographs, and research materials from 1890-2018 is available at the Special Collections Research Center at the NCSU library.

Dad was a master craftsman with passions for woodworking including carving, scroll sawing and model building. He built a house, a boat, and a home addition including custom cabinets. He built scaled models of buildings on the farm where he grew up including the one-room country school where his mother taught. Over the last 30 years, he created a different wooden bird ornament each year. Crafting 600 hand-cut and painted birds a year, it offered him great joy to present them to family, friends, and anyone else he might encounter.

Dad loved people and never met a stranger. He possessed the unique ability to listen as well as talk. People opened up to him, and he often offered them wise counsel. Dad continued his love of learning throughout his life. He developed many hobbies and interests and there was always something new to learn. He used his time productively, each day striving to reach a goal. A child at heart, he loved adventure, toys, and good food...particularly chocolate.

He is survived by his six children: Brent Anderson, Beth (Steve) Weaver, Jeff Anderson, Todd Anderson, Jon Anderson, Julie (Duane) Dudkiewicz; mother of his children Martha Anderson; seven grandchildren: Matt (Lindsay) Weaver, Lindsey (Chris) Baine; Phil (Melissa) Anderson, Chris (Jessica) Anderson, Amy Anderson, Christine Dudkiewicz, Sarah Dudkiewicz; and four great-grandchildren: Clara and Ellery Weaver, Alec and Miles Anderson.

The family would like to thank Tara Lowman and the staff at The Retreat at Cary for the loving care of our father. They were his family when we were unable to be with him due to COVID pandemic restrictions.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 30, 2022, at 11:00 AM at West Raleigh Presbyterian Church, 27 Horne Street, Raleigh, NC 27607. The family will receive friends in the courtyard immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Eddie and Effie Anderson Library Endowment Fund supporting the preservation of the NC State University Libraries' collections. This fund was established by Dad to honor his parents. Gifts may be made payable to "Friends of the Libraries'', NC State University Libraries, c/o Allison Hughes, Campus Box 7111, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.