Richard Harold Anderson

Richard Harold Anderson, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather, died peacefully on June 27, 2026, at the age of ninety-eight, just five days before his 99th birthday.

Born on July 2, 1927, in Kansas City, Kansas, Richard lived a remarkable life defined by hard work, determination, and love for his family. He met his beloved wife, Mary, in 1942, and they were married on January 22, 1944. Richard was sixteen and Mary was fourteen. Though they began their life together at a young age, their marriage became an extraordinary example of devotion and partnership. They celebrated their 81st wedding anniversary in 2025 just before Mary’s passing.

Although Richard left high school early to marry and begin supporting a family, he went on to build an accomplished and successful life. He worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for 40 years and was also a successful home builder. He developed Cimarron Estates in Kansas City, Kansas, a housing development of 14 homes. A gifted carpenter, mason, and occasional mechanic, Richard seemed able to teach himself almost any skill. He built his family’s first home largely with his own hands and repeated that achievement several more times as a young man.

For 33 years, Richard and Mary lived in Riverwoods Plantation in Estero. Florida, where Richard continued to apply his talents to help others. When he noticed that the complex staff did not have a workshop, he built one for them. The cost was covered in part by selling memberships that allowed residents to use the space as well. He also built a brick wall separating the dining facility from the swimming pool and outdoor lounge areas and helped install a wireless network for internet access. Nothing seemed beyond his ability.

In his later years, Richard became an accomplished woodcarver and won awards for his work. Whether building homes, repairing what was broken, improving the place where he lived, or creating something beautiful from wood, Richard expressed his care for others through the work of his hands. He had a wonderfully dry sense of humor and could get the whole family laughing with a quick, witty remark. After Mary’s death, Richard spent much of his time working jigsaw puzzles. The total number is hard to know, but it is estimated that he completed more than 200 puzzles.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; his parents, Oliver and Verna Anderson; his sisters, Helen and Ruth; and his brothers, Oliver, John, and James. He is survived by his three sons, Richard “Dick,” Stephen, and Russell, as well as 32 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, who will forever cherish the memory of his many talents, his humor, and love.

A small family celebration of life will be held in September when the ashes of Richard and Mary will be buried next to each other.

Richard’s legacy of hard work, devotion, and love will live on through the many lives he touched. He will be dearly missed and never forgotten.