Richard D. Anderson; 1933-2013: Computer analyst was teacher in Fulton Co.

9/2/2013

Richard D. Anderson of Sylvania, a retired computer programmer and analyst who had taught math and science in Fulton County, died of complications from a fractured hip Saturday at Sunset House in Ottawa Hills.

He was 79. He slipped and fell Aug. 14 in his apartment at Sunset House, according to Harold Roe, his brother-in-law.

Mr. Anderson retired in 1996 after 12 years as a programmer and analyst at Dana Corp., where he most recently maintained the corporate payroll.

He was at different times a chemist at the former National Laboratories Inc. in West Toledo, a math and science teacher at the former Chesterfield-Dover High School in Fulton County, and a computer programmer for what is now KeyBank in the Toledo area.

“Science was important to him,” Mr. Roe said. “And he was a dedicated Christian and an avid reader.”

Mr. Anderson took care of his ailing mother and was active in the church, Mr. Roe said.

Mr. Anderson’s mother, Genevieve Anderson, died of a brain blood clot about 15 years ago, Mr. Roe said.

Ramona Roe, Mr. Anderson’s sister, said he had a good sense of humor.

“He laughed a lot. He was a gentle person,” Ms. Roe said.

He was born Sept. 3, 1933, in Toledo to Elmer and Genevieve Anderson and graduated from Whitmer High School in 1951.

He received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Bowling Green State University in 1955 and then did postgraduate study in chemistry at Iowa State University from 1955 to 1957.

He obtained a master’s degree in math education from the University of Georgia in 1979.

As a chemist, Mr. Anderson worked for National Laboratories from 1957 to 1961 when he left to teach at Chesterfield-Dover.

He taught there until 1977, when he went to teach math, chemistry, and physics at Emmanuel Christian School in Toledo.

After receiving his master’s degree in math education, Mr. Anderson left teaching to become a computer programmer at the former Trustcorp, now KeyBank.

He was employed there from 1979 to 1984, then he went to Dana.

Mr. Anderson enjoyed working on his computer and reading, especially the Bible and books on technology, Mr. Roe said.

He was a longtime member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Toledo.

Surviving is his sister, Ramona Roe.

Visitation is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at the Newcomer Funeral Home, 4150 W. Laskey Rd., where funeral services will follow at 11 a.m.

The family suggests tributes to Emmanuel Christian School or Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Contact Mike Sigov at: sigov@theblade.com, 419-724-6089, or on Twitter @mikesigovblade.