It’s not an easy thing to write something here that could be good enough for my friend Don.  We met when he lived on South Main Street in Hightstown.  I happened to be his mailman.  Seems we both were dealing with similar life changes at the time and I felt it led him to open up and led us to a friendship.  Both of our daughters went to Peddie school.  We both liked good food, drink, and cars.  Little later realized we both loved Jesus.  I really felt like I was meant to be his friend, like I didn’t have a choice.  In the end, I think I was the lucky one.  He taught me about patience, self control, my self worth, treating yourself,simplicity, and Love and kindness.  

Don and I each picked destinations to explore. He knew New York and I knew Philadelphia.   Most of our trips involved a brewery.  Some trips, he accompanied me to my daughter Taylor’s games.  Don and I spent a memorable day with my son Dean when he was back home on leave from the Air Force.  Don wanted Dean to have a great day, took us to McSorelys Ale House.  Our conversations and running around which led us to Brooklyn for some German food.  By the end of the day, we were all sleeping on the train. Too funny.  

I do want to touch on Dons endless attempt to get his company off the ground.  Wow! The perseverance was incredible.  I was always dreaming of the days Don and I would be working together and then sipping some wine beside the Mediterranean for dinner.                                                                            Like others have said, Don always talked about Kelsey and how he wanted to work together with her and run the business for him.  His eyes had a sparkle when he would mention her.  Loved to tell me what she was up to  and would always ask me about my kids too. Family was priority.. 
You always made sure you introduced me as “My Best friend Alan”.   Thank You best friend. I’ll see you with the Lord someday!


Many, many memories flooding in as Don’s cousin - crowded car rides to visit our cousins on Long Island, bouncing down the stairs in Grandma’s house in Brooklyn and giving Grandma’s porch glider a run for it’s money - and all those peaches! I’m sad that distance has kept us apart over the past years. I will always cherish our time together as cousins. Here’s a photo of the Hartwick cousins (with Aunt Elsie too!).

Dear Family and friends of Don 
Don sat in the next row at church over the years. 
We spoke several times at coffee hour and at the Cranbury library
I am very sorry for your loss of Don. 
My paternal grandfather and maternal grandparents are buried there. I remember the large clock, The cemetery was Val Halla
Sincerely Harriet Coveny

I have such warm memories of all us cousins growing up. Picking peaches in Brooklyn, sitting on the porch glider and just talking. Life was so carefree for us. Peace.

don and I shared many  Sundays at st Pauls church  with lots of conversation, he always had a positive attitude, he loved discussing his ventures on trying to save the world with his inventions, I will miss our conversations, I helped him move a couple times and he was always a good friend to me. Don will be missed until we see each other again

Phil


I got to know Don while working at the local library, as he liked to visit. I don't remember the first conversation we had, but I immediately felt we had a connection. It was as if we'd been friends for many years! He was simply a rare gem: both a polymath and a charmer. It came so naturally: you'd want to help him if you could.  Over the years we had many great conversations about all kinds of things -- technology, physics, global warming, the Beatles, Advent speakers, dogs, family, etc. 

In the last 2-3 years I saw how hard Don pursued a business plan -- one that he believed would fight global warming with a clean
energy technology he'd thought of. He was definitely a man on a mission then. He really wanted to help a lot of people.

 My condolences and deepest sympathies to his family. I still have a copy of the PowerPoint file he created for his presentation about his business plan. If any family member would like a copy, please email me at jaywoliver@gmail.com and I would be happy to share it. 



Don was a candid, brilliant man, a visionary who relentlessly pursued dreams of making the world better, and making a fortune - and funneling it into charities, friends and his daughter.  His financial plans always included Kelsey - he would position her to have the funding to do what she loved.  He offered several times to fund me too...

Don was my friend.  He met with me many times for breakfast over the years.  He'd tell me about his latest job - gosh, the remarkable thing was not the variety but the skill required for each one.  He was the wine expert at a wine store.  He was a technology salesman for Unisys.  The guy could easily switch from a conversation about particle physics, to technical details about solar energy, to the most effective techniques for effective training for long-distance and sprint running.  I'd wonder as we entered a subject, whether he knew about this one, too - and gosh he did.  In ways, he's among the smartest men I've ever met.

I appreciated how patiently he'd listen to my difficulties, and talk about his own experiences.  We shared stories of our faith in God, our need to be authentic, our gratitude for the blessings in our lives.  We talked about people, about meditation, about the Bible, about prayer.  We both loved our daughters - similar ages, studied in England, interested in International Relations. 

I always felt grateful, welcomed, and just a little stretched, mentally, when we parted.

I wish I understood more about my friend, but that'll wait for heaven now.

If any single memory captures Don for me, it is of listening to one of his carefully crafted business plans for the dream technology company that he so doggedly pursued - a Plan that always gave Kelsey a role that gave her everything she needed to be empowered, fulfilled and happy.  

I pray for peace for you all, and me too.

Don was my cousin. I have so many memories of playing together at our grandma’s house.  Squeezing on the glider on her porch, eating his mom’s famous Swedish meatballs, and sharing all the holidays together.  As adults, I enjoyed hearing him boast about his daughter Kelsey, as I watched his chest puff out.  He was so proud. Whenever we spoke, he truly listened. He was a caring gentle soul.  
 Sincerely, June. 

I will love and miss you always, Uncle Don. Thank you for loving me unconditionally all these years. Our conversations at holidays were some of my favorite memories. It just won’t be the same without you walking in the door for holidays, giving me a hug, Norwegian kiss on the cheek, and saying, ”Hi-ya, sweetie.” Words can’t express how sad I am right now. I am sharing the photo of you with my daughter, Rory. This will always be one of my favorite photos of you and I will treasure the memories we had together. Love you. 

OBITUARY

Donald Charles Andersen

April 24, 1956 – March 16, 2021

Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home

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