Richard Lee Anderson

Anderson, Richard L.STOUGHTON-On June 6, 2011, our world lost, and heaven gained, a loving husband, proud father and grandfather, best friend and loyal companion, fisherman, pitching coach, amateur song writer, debater of politics, and a jokester with a contagious laugh. Dick "Hub" Anderson was born in Washington, D.C., on June 18, 1942. He was the only child of Merle and Dorothy Anderson. Dick was raised on the Anderson family farm outside of Dell Rapids, SD, until his graduation from Dell Rapids High School in 1960. He attended the University of Nebraska on a full naval ROTC scholarship and, after transferring to South Dakota State University, graduated with degrees in journalism and English on June 5, 1965. A week after finishing his degree, he married the love of his life, best friend, and soul mate, Dianne Anderson (Christensen), to whom he remained married until the day of his passing, almost 47 years. After college, Dick went on to work as an advertising executive at KELO Television in Sioux Falls, SD, where he remained until his career took him to CMS&Z, an advertising firm in Cedar Rapids, IA. While in Cedar Rapids, Dick met his future business partner, John LeBeck, with whom he acquired the Stoughton Courier Hub and Star Shopper in 1979, which are weekly publications servicing Stoughton, WI and the greater Dane County area. Dick was fiercely proud of the newspapers, the Stoughton community, and, most importantly, his relationships with the newspapers' readers and clients whom he had grown to know well over the years. To his clients, he was regarded as a professional always equipped with a new joke and a friendly smile. Dick remained a principal in the newspapers until their eventual sale in 1994. However, Dick's life's focus was on his priorities: family, friends, and community. He never let a chance to provide a word of encouragement, hug, or helping hand escape. Dick was an active member of the Stoughton Rotary Club, attending regular functions and serving "Norwegian" bratwursts at the yearly Syttende Mai festival. He and Dianne founded the Stoughton Youth Football program in the mid-1980's and dedicated countless hours in creating a program that, since its inception, has seen thousands of children pass through its ranks. Through the newspapers, Dick participated in the sponsorship of the Stoughton little league baseball tournament, which, for the winners, culminated in a fire engine ride through the streets of Stoughton. He was an active youth football, baseball, and basketball coach and, until he passed, maintained close contact with those he coached along the way. Although he was not able to see it to completion, Dick's last endeavor with Dianne was the creation of the Memory Walk at Howard Heggestad Park in Stoughton. Dick's dream was to create a Stoughton location that offers family members and friends a way to commemorate those who left an indelible imprint on their lives. Dick's memory will further be honored in the completion of the Memory Walk. To Dick, time with family and friends was the essence of life. He openly spoke with pride about Dianne and his sons, Ryan and Cory Anderson, and his daughter in-law Leslie Anderson quickly became the daughter he never had. His only grandchild, Alexandra Anderson, was his "little Putzuh," for whom he wrote and performed songs no matter the occasion, and instilled the phrases "uff-da" and "showtime." Dick could be located on most mornings over a cup of coffee at his favorite Stoughton caf, the Koffee Kup, engaging in political debate with his friends, or promoting his beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers. No matter the subject of the debate, it was accompanied with a laugh and a smile. Dick was predeceased by his mother and father, Dorothy and Merle Anderson, and his son, Ryan Anderson. Those he left living to carry on his message of love and kindness include countless friends over many states and his family, Dianne, Cory, Leslie, and Alex, who will miss him each day. Dick was a life-long diabetic. For a man in an imperfect body and in an imperfect world, to his family he was, and is, perfect in each and every way." ... weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Psalms 30:5The life and memory of Dick Anderson will be celebrated by family and friends on June 11, 2011, at COVENANT LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1525 N. Van Buren, Stoughton, with a visitation from 1:00pm - 3:00pm and funeral service at 3:00pm. Immediately following the funeral service, friends and family are invited to gather at Halverson's, 1965 Barber Drive, Stoughton, WI, to continue the celebration of Dick's life.Memorials may be made toMemory Walk, 1133 Virgin Lake Dr., Stoughton, WI 53589. Memorials: Memorials may be made toMemory Walk, 1133 Virgin Lake Dr., Stoughton, WI 53589. Visitation: The life and memory of Dick Anderson will be celebrated by family and friends on June 11, 2011, at COVENANT LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1525 N. Van Buren, Stoughton, with a visitation from 1:00pm - 3:00pm and funeral service at 3:00pm. Service: The life and memory of Dick Anderson will be celebrated by family and friends on June 11, 2011, at COVENANT LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1525 N. Van Buren, Stoughton, with a visitation from 1:00pm - 3:00pm and funeral service at 3:00pm.