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RANDALL DEAN ANDERSON ~ Class of 1970wb
December 23, 1951 - July 14, 2004

Randy Anderson died on July 14, 2004 at his home in Mulino, Oregon.

Randy was born to Murl Wayne Anderson and V. Roselea "Eddy" Anderson, on December 23, 1951. During his 14 years in Silverton, Randy attended Eugene Field School and Mark Twain School, excelling in basketball, baseball, and track. He also participated in student government, and earned the God and Country award as a Boy Scout. His family then moved to Eugene, OR; Richland, WA; and Honolulu, HI (where Randy graduated from high school in 1970). Randy was a talented high school athlete, playing varsity football and baseball at Richland High School, and varsity football at Punahou School in Honolulu.

After graduation from Punahou, he attended the University of Idaho on a ROTC scholarship, later transferring to Oregon State University and graduating with a degree in Political Science in 1977. Randy played on the OSU Rugby team for several years, and there made lasting friendships with his rugby teammates. He, along with fellow Silvertonian Rene Cardiff, was a member of the 1975 OSU Wales Touring Side, when the team traveled to Wales to challenge the vaunted sides from the very homeland of rugby.

Randy also developed a passion for world and military history and contemporary political events, possessing an encyclopedic expertise in those disciplines. Following graduation from OSU, he went on to obtain credentials as a Registered Nurse, and practiced nursing for several years in Reedsport, Newport, Eugene, and Salem, where he was a case manager in a Marion County program for people with disabilities. His compassion and affection for people with illness and disabilities drove his desire to be a nurse.

Randy fondly recalled his work as a forest firefighter in the mid 1970s, when he was based in Klamath Falls and fought fires throughout the western states. He was a gifted artist, wowing his friends and family with detailed pen drawings. He also excelled at model airplane construction and painting, and even through his extended illness and physical disability at the end of his life, he continued this creative work. His undying love of dogs and all animals was well known, as often took in strays and provided them with kindness and shelter.

Randy married his Hawaiian high school sweetheart Gloria Brito in 1991, and created a life with her in Salem until her death in 1993. He was fond of Hawaiian music and culture and knowledgeable about Hawaiian history. He later became engaged to Arlene Sprague of Mulino, who cared for him with great compassion as he became ill and until his death.

Randy had a life-long commitment to civil rights and to lifting up people who were less fortunate than he. Even through numerous brushes with adversity, he conducted himself with dignity, honor, decency and courage. His sense of humor was playful and warm, and he could crack up an entire room by simply making a hilarious face.

Randy is survived by his father Murl, brother Jim ('72WB) and sister-in-law Pat, fiancée Arlene and her children Ry-Anne and Kris. Randy's mother, Roselea, died in 2003.

A graveside service will be held at Valley View Cemetery in Silverton at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 24, with a celebration of his life at 3:00 pm at Unger Funeral Home, 229 Mill Street in Silverton. For directions or more information, contact Jim Anderson at jima@drizzle.com

Memorial contributions of money or time may be made in Randy's name to John Kerry for President, 2901 E. Burnside, Portland, Oregon, 97214, ph. 503-239-6001.