Robert L. Anderson

Bob was born in Custer County Nebraska to Gunner and Etta Inez (Henry) on January 18, 1930. He was raised in Custer County with his 3 brothers Roy (Rowena), Wayne (Pearl), Dale (Joan) and 3 sisters Betty (Floyd) Gift, Mary (Herb) Szwanek and Carrie (Burt) Callahan. When growing up he enjoyed fishing, hunting and general rabblerousing. He graduated from Arnold high school in 1948. He received a purple heart in 1952 while serving his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After being medically retired with an honorable discharge, he returned to his family in Arnold Nebraska. Once home he enjoying his freedom and worked as a farmhand in the Arnold area. He moved to North Platte in 1954 and began working at Safeway as a meat cutter. That same year he married Joan Shirley daughter of Homer and Florence Shirley of North Platte, Nebraska. He was devoted to his wife with whom he shared 53 years of marriage. They were true sole mates and enjoyed a wonderful life together, every day moments and life events were always shared. He was always devoted, loving and mild mannered very seldom raising his voice and even when angered he would often just whistle. His devotion and love for his wife and family was evident early in his marriage when his first son Kent was laid to rest. He then had his daughter Mesharia born July 02, 1956 and son Brad born April 13, 1959 who were blessed to know all of his love, patience and understanding for his entire life. In 1956 the family moved to their family home in Denver when they moved into their new home he vowed to never leave it and he didn't. He continued to work for Safeway until 1960 when he went to work at Fitzsimmons Army Post as a meat cutter in the commissary. In 1961 he became the market manager from which he retired in 1990. He had a sense of humor always quick to laugh a good joke or a story. Those that struck him as extra funny would even bring tears to his eyes and his whole body would shake with laughter. Early in his marriage he enjoyed traveling with his family there wasn't a year that went by with out a trip to someplace. After the kids left home he and Joan enjoyed special travel time together, they traveled coast to coast to Canada, Alaska and Hawaii all 50 states. For their 50th wedding anniversary their entire family including sister- in-law Shan (squirrelly Shan as he often referred to her) and some of his nieces and nephews a Caribbean cruise. He enjoyed building, woodworking, gardening, Bronco Football games and spending time with family. Mesharia remembers most her dads love, understanding and patience. He always allowed her to be her own person, no matter how many strays she would bring home. He was their for the good times and was always there to pick up the pieces when things fell apart, never judging always quietly guiding and supporting. He would travel 100 miles to pick up a retainer left in a restaurant and come by the house to mow the lawn when the grass got to long. Once she married Scott he no longer had to pick up the pieces just enjoy the time sent together. Brad remembers him bringing home standing room only Bronco tickets prior to obtaining season tickets. He never missed my sporting events from little league football & baseball games to the sports played in High School. He always took the time during the cabin building years to take a few hours to go fishing on the Blue River which was just behind the cabin. He was such a good fisherman and expanded his fishing by catching a Beaver on one of the outings. He taught us to drive the pick up truck as soon as we could reach the pedals and would often say ""whoa slow down a little"". He always had a joke and would pass on good advice at just the right moment. He welcomed Cinde into the family with open arms from the first moment he met her. In the early 1960's along with in-laws Homer and Florence he and wife Joan purchased land and built a cabin near Breckenridge, Colorado. During this time he was able to perfect his building and woodworking skills. His family has many found memories of this time. Trips to the movies, meals at the Gold Pan and time spent with friends and family who came to help and spend time together. In the mid 1968 Bob obtained season tickets to the Denver Broncos. Sunday, afternoons were enjoyed each football season with lunch at the house then the trip down Federal Blvd on the Bronco Shuttle bus. He would enjoy a cold beer on the warm autumn afternoons and when the weather turned cold hot buttered rum became the favorite beverage. In 1981 Bob was blessed with his first Granddaughter Amanda and in 1983 his second granddaughter Elise. Amanda and Elise have fond memories of traveling each spring break to places near and far, and learning to build special projects out of wood with his help. In the 1990's Bob was blessed with two more granddaughters Tabitha and Demi. Both girls remember him teasing them by calling them different names and the countless trips to Dolly Madison to pick up milk for grandma. What grammy didn't realize he would by them ice cream and they would eat it before coming back for dinner. In 2003 brought the arrival of his first Great granddaughter Alexis who brought a twinkle to his eye and 2007 brought the arrival of his first great grand son Colton and great grandson Coby Uhlig joined the family. Right before his passing he was blessed with another great grandson Payton. A memorial fund has been setup by the family. For more information contact a family member. Precious Memories Poem Today, we pay tribute, to a man, that touched our lives, in many ways, the creation of these memories will be cherished with each passing day. For fifty three years, Bob & Joan shared a life, such a gentle loving husband, devoted to his wife… They traveled through out the country from New York to the Golden Gate, beautiful times spent together, as best friends and soul mates… Life blessed him with two children, Mesharia was daddy's girl, always patient, kind and loving, even when she brought home, every stray in the world… His only son Brad remembers, no matter how hectic life got, he found time, to take him fishing, to them both, this meant a lot… When Scott married his daughter, he enjoyed all his stories the best, his laughter was contagious, he loved this, above all the rest… With open arms he welcomed Cinde, as his son took a new wife, he always made her feel special, when she joined this family for life… As the years quickly slipped by, he became the grandfather of four, beaming with ultimate pride, a new journey, begins once more… Amanda grew up traveling with her grandparents every year, exploring many places, some were far and some were near… These times were very special, sharing a laugh or two, now beautiful memories are left for her to hold onto… For Elise, building time with Grandpa was always such a thrill, with a block of wood, nails and a hammer they would practice their carpenter skills… Tabi, loved her time with Grandpa, taking rides in the old pick-up, driving to the little store, where he would treat her to an ice cream cup… Laughing and joking with Demi, she loved teasing Grandpa back, he always called her funny names, his favorite was Fred and Jack… Great-Grand Child Lexi, you brought her joy each day, watching jet streams in the sky, as the planes flew far away… Then into the family Coby came, to him Grandpa Bob, was always his name… Babies Colton and Peyton, he will never see what you become someday, many stories will be told, how much he loved you and wished he could stay. These precious memories are a small part, of this man that we loved so, never wanting to say goodbye, its so hard to let him go… But in the darkness of our sorrow, a beam of light breaks through, the angels are rejoicing, Lord, he's coming home to you… By Shan Brazeal - Bob's sister-in-law