Larry Bernard Anderson of Upper Arlington passed away peacefully at home on March 17, 2025, at the age of 87 with his beloved wife Ruth at his side. He was born in Cottonwood, Idaho to Bernard and Ethel Anderson. After graduating from Grant High School in Portland, OR and the University of Washington (B.S., 1959), he served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army and Reserves from 1959-1967 and pursued graduate studies at Syracuse University (Ph.D. Chemistry, 1964). where he met the love of his life Ruth Janeiro. They were married at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Yonkers, NY in 1962.
He joined the faculty of The Ohio State University Department of Chemistry in 1966, and he and Ruth became lifelong Buckeye fans. He served in a series of leadership positions in the department and the university over the following 37 years (President - University Senate, Vice Chair. Chemistry, Faulty Advisor- water polo), and retired as an Emeritus Professor in 2003.
He and Ruth lived in the home that they bought shortly after arriving in Ohio. He formed and coached the water polo team at Upper Arlington H.S. until his sons graduated high school. The program has excelled for 40 years since, winning several state championships. Women also played on those early teams, but have subsequently formed their own team, and also won many state championships. He was a member of the American Chemical Society, Columbus Rose Club (president), the OSU Faculty Club, and Opera Columbus Impresarios (president).
He was an enthusiastic traveler throughout his life and presided over several cross-country trips in the family station wagon to visit his extended family on the west coast. He enjoyed international travel as well, beginning with a trans-Atlantic sail to study in Italy and Germany after high school and continuing in retirement as he and Ruth wandered the globe visiting family, friends, vineyards, rose gardens and museums.
He was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years ago and passed away from complications of the disease with his wife Ruth by his side as she was for so many joys and challenges over the years. He was preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Ethel Anderson of Carmel, CA and his sister Kathleen Davis of Monterey, CA and is survived by his brother James Anderson of Silver Spring, MD. In addition to his wife Ruth Janeiro Anderson, he is survived by his sons Gary (Margo Davis) Anderson of Oklahoma City, OK; Kevin (Tara Griffin) Anderson of Westfield Center, OH; Alan (Beth Frensilli) Anderson of Bend, OR and his eight grandchildren who were the joy of his life: Sara, Spencer, Claire and Caroline; Thomas and Elena; Milan and Matteo.
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