Robert Alan Anderson

Major Dr. Robert A. Anderson was born on April 18, 1935 to Anna Mary and Alton Anderson. He was raised in Pembroke, Ontario, Canada, the oldest of eight children (Mary Stevens, Freida Gombocz, Allan Anderson, Grace Buchanan, Wesley Anderson, Patricia Agnew and Jean Arsenault.)

He was introduced to The Salvation Army at the age of 13 when he dedicated his life to God. At the age of 17 he was one of the youngest cadets accepted into The Salvation Army College (seminary) for Officers Training. During this time he met and fell in love with Jean Gracie. After graduating training in 1953 and marrying in 1958 they moved to California for Bob to continue his education in the medical field. His degrees included: RN, BS, Masters, PhD, and graduating Cum Laude in Clinical Psychology.

Bob had a great compassion for counseling and specialized in Pastoral Care Training in Grief, Death and Dying. He was often asked to travel with The Salvation Army Disaster Services Team to provide counseling and medical care for the floods in the south, the earthquakes both in Mexico and El Salvador, and his last deployment was spending two weeks providing grief counseling at the Ground Zero sight of 9/11.

He served in many capacities for The Salvation Army including: Corps Officer (Pastor), New York Booth Memorial Hospital, Booth Home for Pregnant and At Risk Teens both in Los Angeles and Anchorage, Alaska, and opening a Homeless Shelter in San Bernardino. His outstanding work with the Booth Home in Alaska was recognized and awarded the National Social Service Program of Excellence by The Salvation Army. He developed the Nursing Program for Pensacola Christian College in Florida where he was a Professor on staff. After his retirement from The Salvation Army he worked for the County of Riverside Psychiatric Hospital.

Bob served as an Officer in The Salvation Army in Canada, New York, California, and 10 Years in Alaska from where he retired to California in 2000. He loved the Lord and believed in The Army's work and ministry.

One of Bob's greatest passions in life was singing! He had a beautiful Tenor voice and was asked to sing at many Salvation Army events and functions throughout the country.

He was a spiritual Father to many and showed his unconditional love, compassion and grace on a daily basis.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jean Anderson and his children Laurel Flaget, Heather Basch, Kendra Holly, Karen Anderson, and Christopher Anderson as well as 11 Grandchildren: Joshua, Phillip, Jenna, Emily, Ricky, Allyssa, Logan, Jarod, Aidan, Abigail, and Luke.

He ended every letter and note with his signature "Remember You Are Loved."