Edward Haviland Anderson

Ed grew up in Peoria, Illinois. As a young boy, he had a paper route and loved to bike all over the city with his buddies. In high school he was on the swim team and his love of biking became a love of driving after getting his first car. After graduating, he attended Depauw University studying graphic design, and eventually headed west following the lure of California sunshine. With his artistic and naturally mechanically-inclined skills, he found a welcome home at Hughes Aircraft with a career that spanned over thirty years. Highlights there included working on concept drawings for satellites and space shuttles, as well as work on the Apollo program.  His greatest highlight undoubtedly, though, was meeting his future wife Barbara, initially connecting with her over their shared Midwestern roots which led to them putting down roots of their own. It was a connection that proved to be deep, lasting for over fifty beautiful years. Ed was a very hands on guy who could fix or create anything. He learned the art of wood-working from his grandfather, who also helped raise him. So after retiring from Hughes, he chose to put that love to work at Home Depot where he felt right at home. He had a common-sense approach to things and loved helping people solve their various problems. Ed was a loving husband and true life partner to Barbara. Though his own father passed before he was even born leaving him, his sister and his mother without a father figure in the home, he proved to be an incredibly devoted and wonderful father to his three children and a fabulous grandpa to his five beloved grandchildren. As a member of the Rod and Gun Club earlier in his adulthood, he shared his love of the outdoors with his family, with many vacations spent camping, hiking and exploring the western United States. Our Ed was kind, generous, caring, gentle, witty, humble and easygoing. He laughed easily and often and was as genuine as the day is long. His love for his family and friends ran deep and without condition and he will be dearly missed. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, his three children, their spouses, and five grandchildren; Bryan (Kathryn), Craig (Eliza) Serena, Thayer, Vera and Stacy (Todd) Alexandria and Jackson.