Robert Theodore Anderson

The Reverend Doctor Robert Theodore Anderson, son of Hazel and Oscar Anderson, was born on July 23, 1928, in Syracuse, New York. Robert was the husband of Elizabeth Lathrop Anderson, the father of David and Rondi Anderson, and the brother of Paul Anderson. He was the grandfather of Shakti, Austin, and Ally Anderson. He received his bachelor’s degree at Syracuse University and his doctoral and seminary degrees at Boston University. He served as Professor and Chair of the Religious Studies Department at Michigan State University from 1957 until 1998, where he taught courses on Biblical literature to adoring students. His research focused on Samaritan texts, and his books include Studies in Samaritan Manuscripts and Artifacts and The Samaritan Pentateuch (with Terry Giles). Robert was also a clergyman, a storyteller, a ballroom dancer, a baseball player, a weaver, a cyclist, and a runner. He traveled around the world, with extended stops to perform research in Calcutta and to teach in Cairo. He attended Edgewood United Church of Christ in East Lansing, where there will be a memorial service at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 29. His loving family and friends will forever cherish his inimitable kindness, his gentle soul, his devoted care for people in need, and his impassioned stewardship for the environment.