1933-2011
With great sorrow, we recognize the passing of Walter Donald Andersen on Tuesday, August 30th, 2011. “Don”, as most people knew him by, was born in Los Angeles, CA on March 14th, 1933, during the great Los Angeles earthquake.
He followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and began working for the Motion Picture Industry in 1950. When the United States Navy came calling, he left his job and dedicated 1954 through 1956 to serving his country, working as a pipefitter for the Navy. Once his duties had been fulfilled he returned to his job with MGM Studios. When rumor had it that MGM was relocating to Ventura County, he packed up his family and moved, settling down in Newbury Park, where he remained for the rest of his days. He retired from the studios in December 1994, after 44yrs, but remained a standing member of Local #729 ‘til the end.
Don’s daily routine included going to Eggs ‘N’ Things to see his second family, the host of waiters, waitresses and patrons he found there. He did his people-watching walking the Oaks Mall. He began and ended each day with his family, getting his grandkids to school, going to appointments and ending with family dinners. He loved to travel, go to Las Vegas, cheer at his granddaughter’s soccer games, read books and take photographs. He embraced life and those whose lives he touched, embraced him. He will be deeply missed.
Don was preceded in death by his parents Andrew Walter and Mildred Helen Andersen, as well as his eldest son, Michael Lee Andersen. He is survived by his 3 children; Monica, Felecia and Eric Andersen, son-in-law Brian Thompson, and 8 grandchildren; Sarah, Nico, Jessica, Michaela, Michael, Grace, Faith and Walter.
His family welcomes you to attend his memorial service to be held at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park on the 25th of September (Sunday) at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. The address is 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village CA 91360.
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