Nicholas Hans Starke Anderson

Nicholas Hans Starke Anderson, born January 3, 1956 in Washington, D.C., was named Nicholas because he was expected on Christmas Day. He departed this life January 1, 2025, surrounded by loving family and friends, two days short of his 69th birthday and following a long illness due to pancreatic disease. He will be remembered as a beloved husband, brother, son, and friend, as well as a multi-talented artist.

Nick developed an interest in visual media early on from his father, a professional photographer, but it was at the Rhode Island School of Design where he fell in love with filmmaking. He graduated in 1978 with a degree in fine arts and embarked on an award-winning career as a film editor that spanned over 40 years.

When Nick started film editing, it involved the time-consuming process of meticulously cutting and splicing film together in an ordered sequence — by hand. It later evolved into editing high-resolution digital images in a non-linear fashion, involving keyboards, computers, and hard drives. Nick proved a master of both methods.

His first career stop was United Way Productions where he edited numerous advocacy and fundraising films, and became principal editor of the organization’s signature public service announcements which aired during all National Football League games, including the Super Bowl.

Nick moved on to the freelance world, where he quickly became one of the most sought-after editors in the Washington metropolitan area. Of his many accomplishments, he was perhaps proudest to have edited multiple prime-time shows for the Discovery Channel and National Geographic Television -- programs watched by millions of viewers.

Nick and a handful of others helped pioneer the modern true crime and natural history genres on television. He was the consummate craftsman and a quick study; he could recognize the heart of any story almost immediately and then shape it. He was always eager to share that insight, his knowledge and experience with colleagues and friends. Nick also brought a keen understanding of the role and power of music in storytelling. It’s not surprising that his effortless grasp of its utility and beauty also made him a great musician.

Nick’s masterful guitar skills and innate music sense brought joy to those who heard him play. He had an uncanny knack for playing music with a Spanish flamenco flair — using the long-nailed fingers on his right hand to perform dazzling tremolos, picados, and arpeggios on his classical nylon-string guitar. He enjoyed extended soloing, showcasing his skill and his admiration for guitarist Paco de Lucia. A deeply generous soul, Nick’s melodies will not be forgotten.

In 2022, Nick undertook a passion project — editing and publishing a collection of his father Robert’s photographs, taken around 1936 when Robert was a young man living in Mexico. Called ‘A Portrait of Mexico,’ it’s a son’s loving tribute to his father, containing gorgeous sepia-toned images captured by the man whose talent Nick obviously inherited.

With his walrus-mustached grin Nick exhibited a playful spirit, mischievous sense of humor and an appreciation for all things wacky: art, music, vintage postcards and matchbooks to name a few. He loved travel, summers in Bermuda with his extended family, his wife Ann’s cooking, and also cherished his family and friends. Nick’s generosity of spirit, his openness, honesty, kindness, loyalty, ready smile and easy laugh will be missed.

Nick was predeceased by his mother Starke Meyer and father Robert Anderson. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Ann Meyer; sisters Alexis Anderson and Isabel Anderson; brother Mark Meyer; nephew Sasha Strickland; and brother-in-law Jim Meyer, along with Jim’s 5 children and 12 grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to Edmund Burke School, 4101 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC or at www.burkeschool.org/give. Please note that you'd like to designate it to the Performing & Visual Arts program.