Robert Warren Anderson

Robert Warren Anderson, age 98, passed away on November 28, 2023 in Newport Beach, California. He was born on August 9,1925 in the small town of Norcatur, Kansas. His parents were Harry and Nellie (Reid) Anderson. Harry operated the local lumber yard and served for many years on the school board, and before marrying, Nellie taught in a one room schoolhouse and was the first woman elected as Decatur County treasurer.

The youngest of four boys (T. Reid, Howard, and Parley Anderson), Robert attended the local grade school, helped in milking and walking the family cow to and from the pasture, and over the summers worked on his grandfather, Thomas Anderson's farm. The Anderson brothers enjoyed playing outdoors with other neighborhood boys, running all over town, walking along the railroad tracks collecting glass bottles, and shooting baskets into hoops attached to a barn until there was no more light.

After graduating early from Norcatur Rural High School, Robert enrolled at the University of Colorado at Boulder. In addition to his studies, he took a job serving tables at the Chi Omega sorority house, where he met his future wife, Shirley Bennetts, and on one occasion, walked her home after ice skating. He graduated from law school in 1948 and followed his parents in moving to California.

Bob passed the California Bar Exam on the first try, and shortly thereafter opened a single-man law office, practicing civil law. He became reacquainted with Shirley at a gathering of University of Colorado alumni. They started dating and were married in Denver in 1950. Together they moved into a single-bedroom attic apartment and survived their first earthquake. Soon their family expanded to include three daughters.

Bob was active in the community, serving on the vestry at St. Mark Episcopal Church, Altadena, and becoming the president of the Altadena Kiwanis Club. He was also active in the Pasadena chapter of the American Bar Association and volunteered with the Legal Aid Society. Bob enjoyed being a member of the University Club in Pasadena and engaging in conversation with colleagues over lunch. After years managing a successful, growing law practice, one of Bob’s proudest moments was being asked to join the law firm of Hahn & Hahn as a partner with specialization in estate planning, trust, and probate law.

A very genuine, kind, and down-to-earth individual, Bob could strike up a conversation with anybody. He was intensely curious about the world, as was Shirley. Together, they traveled extensively in Europe and also visited Egypt, Kenya, China, Japan, Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand.

After his retirement, Bob and Shirley moved to Corona del Mar. His daily routine included reading several newspapers and watching the PBS NewsHour. An avid reader of nonfiction, Bob enjoyed reading about famous political figures and topics related to U.S. history. Friends in his Thursday morning Men’s Book Club at St. Michael's Episcopal Church found him to be especially well informed about Constitutional law and the founding of the United States. Other hobbies included investigating family history and watching Lakers basketball.

Bob loved the years spent living in California, but always had Kansas in his heart. Having inherited farmland near Norcatur, Kansas, Bob regularly checked the weather report for Norcatur and rejoiced when learning that rain had fallen on one or more of the fields. He was very grateful to Stan Miller and Casey Tuttle for farming the land and looked forward to chatting with them about the progress of the corn and wheat from planting through harvest time. His final trip to Norcatur in 2016 was one of the highlights of his life.

Robert Anderson is survived by his three daughters, and sons-in-law: Nancy and Greg Griffin of Baton Rouge, LA, Laurie Anderson and Massimo Brandigi of Arezzo, Italy, and Cynthia Anderson and Marty Saltzman of Dobbs’ Ferry, NY, and by his grandchildren: Patrick Griffin of Pacific Palisades, CA, Julia Griffin of Arlington, VA, McCall Saltzman of Seattle, Bennett Saltzman of Boston, Yolanda Brandigi of Queens, NY, Sarah Brandigi of Arezzo, Italy, and Petre Anderson Brandigi of Lake Forest, CA, and four great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 5th, at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Corona del Mar.

Memorial contributions may be made to Citizens Alliance (of Norcatur, Kansas) ℅ E. Sue Hillebrand, 6320 Hwy 36, Norton, Kansas 67654.

Donations may be directed to the Norcatur News, the Norcatur Museum, or the Norcatur Cemetery.

Memorial contributions to St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Corona del Mar, would also be appreciated.