Robert William Anderson

Robert “Bob” William Anderson, 93, went home on January 8, 2025.

Bob was born October 26, 1931 in Woodward, IA to John and Blanche (Dalton) Anderson.

He joined the Navy on March 30, 1950, serving on the Destroyer USS Evans until February 1, 1954. He planned on rejoining the Navy, but a broken hip from a car accident set him on a different path.

While working at Bankers Life, Bob met Mona Scott who became his wife on April 1, 1955. They had three children together. 

Bob started work at Northwestern Bell (Ma Bell) in 1967, retiring in 1989. He was called “Andy” by his coworkers.

He ran a garbage collection business in Grimes, IA for many years. 

He had many interests: hunting, fishing, camping and boating. His favorite camping/fishing place was Big Pine Lake in Minnesota. He took anyone hunting, fishing, camping and boating that wanted to go or learn any of those. He enjoyed going to Meskwaki Casino, Prairie Meadows Casino and Bluffs Run Casino where he enjoyed the dog races. He really enjoyed eating at buffets, especially Hibachi Buffet in West Des Moines. Bob was an extremely social person. He would help out anyone, never asking for anything in return. He loved talking to people and telling stories, which he had many of.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents - John and Blanche Anderson, sister, Marge White, wife, Mona Anderson and one son, Bobby Anderson.

He is survived by his sister, Betty Downs, brother, John Anderson, daughter, Wanda (Scott) Harter, son, Richard (Cindy) Anderson, grandchildren: Casey, Kirstie, Dylan, Kendall, Jenny, Michelle, Cynthia, Steele, Safire and Stryker, 20 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He faced many challenges in his life, especially in the last 3 years, and never gave up. He never grew old, but his body did and failed him in the end. For everyone that knew and loved him, their world will never be the same.

Bob’s Celebration of Life services will be held on January 17, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., at the Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, with a lunch at the church following the service.