Obituary for Douglas P. Anderson

Douglas Paul Anderson passed away suddenly on July 23rd, 2021

Doug was born on July 3rd, 1946, the 8th of 10 children, in Minneapolis, MN. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Pamela, his cherished children Vanessa (Dave) Hoek, Nicole (Tom) Arthur, Bryna (Jason) Kleve and Tyler (Kelsey) Anderson, and his 7 beloved grandchildren, Dominique (Calvin), Drew (Carly), Davis, Dari, Ava, Emma, Addison, and 1 great grandchild, Legacy. Doug was preceded in death by father, Carl, mother, Genilla, brothers and sisters, Joan Dechaine, Carl Jr., Jerry, Sharon Schuster, Phil, Judy Modeen and Denny. He is survived by sisters, Gigi Bursch and Pam Jacobus (Dan).

Doug graduated from Osseo High School in 1964, and moved on to obtain a Major in Economics and Minor in Business Administration from The University of Minnesota in 1972. Upon completing his education, Doug began a successful career in precision machining and manufacturing. His entire career was invested in the family business, started by his father in 1948. Anderson Automatics, Inc. is still operating today thanks to Doug’s unwavering integrity and work ethic. His life mission was, “Living the quality life; loyal to my friends, starting with my family.” The investment of his time to his family, career and community was apparent. He sought after and achieved many accomplishments, but to highlight a few:

• Past Master of the Osseo Blue Lodge Masons
• President of the congregation at Advent Lutheran Church
• Project Director for Advent Lutheran expansion
• President of Twin City Tool, Die & Precision Machining Association (now MPMA)
• Member of the Brooklyn Park Rotary and Foundation
• TEC International Organization of CEOs
• Attended the Carlson School of Management

Doug’s greatest passion in life was his family. Making memories with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He loved spending time in Cross Lake with family and friends, especially in one of his favorite spots, which he named “Margarita Bay.” With a love for exploring, he and Pamela traveled to many places. Monaco, Italy, Tahiti, and France, were a few of the stamps on their passports.

Ahead of his time in many ways, Doug always had a fondness for new technology. Sharper Image magazines adorned the coffee table in his home and his curiosity for the latest and greatest gadgets stayed with him his entire life. Doug loved buying the newest version of all of his favorite devices, but his favorite part of the process was sharing them with those around him. Doug’s family liked to joke that it was difficult to buy gifts for him because if he wanted it, he already bought it himself. Like many of us, he was an active Amazon shopper - perhaps on a first name basis with the delivery driver.

Doug was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his trusty black labrador retrievers - JT, Bear, and Shooter. He enjoyed adventures to South Dakota, Russia and Argentina with his hunting buddies and regaled with stories of wild and wooly encounters, especially in Russia. He was an avid snowmobiler during the cold Minnesota winter months with a fondness for trying out the latest and greatest - fastest - snow machines. It was snowmobiling and perhaps hunting where he developed a not so fond relationship with Yukon Jack. He even had a brief stint later in life with ownership of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Doug loved the northern lakes area and his much loved cabins in the north country, beginning with the rustic childhood cabin on Big Sandy Lake and the Lazy Lady Chris-Craft runabout. He and his brothers-in-law became unwilling bat trappers and mosquito zappers extraordinaire at a rental cabin on Gull Lake. The “in-law’s” cabin on Nord Lake near Aitkin was a rustic summer weekend destination for many years. Doug And Pam’s first family cabin was lovingly referred to as the octagon cabin on Upper Whitefish Lake. It was there that Doug “graciously” awakened the menagerie of kids, nieces and nephews sprawled out all over the living room to the glorious sounds of the Chad Mitchell Trio singing “The John Birch Society” followed by “Lizzie Borden.” Needless to say they were not impressed which made it all the more fun. Next came the “little cabin” on Rush Lake on the Whitefish chain. The little cabin eventually grew to become “Camp We Kin All Fit” with construction of a larger version managed by son-in-law Jason Kleve. A smaller construction job resulted in the erection of a bell tower near the lake shore to house an old school/church bell. Of course, a lake cabin had to be accompanied by float craft of various configurations for various purposes. There was the Lund aluminum boat for fishing, a Larson cabin cruiser dubbed the “12th of Never” for cruising the Whitefish chain and a variety of multipurpose pontoon boats, one of which had it’s canopy taken out by a tree dropped by a beaver. Thus began a troubled relationship with the beavers of Upper Whitefish Lake and a child’s plea - “don’t shoot the beaver, Uncle Doug.”

Doug, along with his father, Carl, and brother, Jerry, was also an avid pilot beginning with a Piper Cub on wheels, floats and skis. After his wife and children, his greatest passion was flying. He enjoyed taking friends and relatives on white-knuckle rides between local fields and lakes. Then, there was the higher performance Mooney Executive for “business” followed by a Beechcraft Bonanza in partnership with Larry Cassum and best buddy Steve Ziskin. His last plane was a Cessna 185 STOL on floats to serve as the weekend "commuter" from home on the Mississippi River to home away from home on Rush Lake.

A perhaps little known talent, Doug was a thespian, playing the constable in Fiddler on the Roof with Pam and Nikki, and a dancer. Tap dancing lessons in the third grade came to an abrupt end with placement of a foot in a waste basket while dancing with his sister Gigi to “Love and Marriage” during the fireman’s Christmas Party talent show.

Doug was an incredible husband, father and grandfather, a friend to all and best friend to many. He was above and beyond generous, always there to help with any and every need, seen and unseen. He had a strong belief in God and was a generous supporter of the church with time, talents and effort. He always said he received much more than he gave.

His greatest love above all was for Pam, their children, grandchildren and great grandchild.

He is survived by his loving wife, Pamela of 53 years; and beloved children, Vanessa (Dave) Hoek, Nicole (Tom) Arthur, Bryna (Jason) Kleve and Tyler (Kelsey) Anderson, as well as his cherished 7 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

The visitation and Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, July 29th at The Lutheran Church of the Master in Brooklyn Center. 1200 69th Avenue North Brooklyn Center, MN 55430.

Visitation- 9:30-10:45 AM, Masonic service- 9:45-10:00 AM, Celebration of Life service- 11:00 AM. Luncheon and Interment will follow service. Funeral arrangements made by Evans-Nordby of Brooklyn Center. All memorials may be made to Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge or a charity of your choice. The service will be live streamed for those unable to attend.