Thomas Dale Anderson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and scholar, went to his eternal home on January 21, 2019.
He was born September 23, 1929 to Edward and Anna Anderson of Northfield, OH. Being brought up in the depression, Tom learned at a young age to “make do with what you have” and to work hard.
After graduating from Northfield High School in 1947, he worked his way through college at Kent State University, where he earned a BA degree in Geography. While studying at KSU, he was a pitcher on the baseball team and was captain of the swim team. He later earned an MA from Kent State, and a PhD from the University of Nebraska, both in Geography. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta social fraternity, and Sigma Xi scientific honorary.
He served in the Army Infantry in Korea (1953-55) as a First Lieutenant and was awarded the Army Commendation Ribbon with Medal Pendant for meritorious service.
He came to Bowling Green State University after teaching five years at the State University College in Geneseo, NY. In addition to serving as Professor of Geography at BGSU, he taught a year as Fulbright Scholar at Central University of Venezuela in Caracas. He also was a visiting instructor at several other universities and did survey work for the state of Ohio.
He married his lovely wife of 62 years Sylvia Crum in 1956 and had three children; Susan, Stefan, and Kathryn, and two grandchildren; Audrey and Joshua.
A prolific scholar, he received numerous research grants, and authored two books, along with several book chapters and research reports. He also wrote dozens of articles, and presented over 70 professional papers, including one in Moscow. At BGSU, he served on the Faculty Senate, along with serving as chair on various university committees, and the Arts & Sciences Council.
His professional memberships included the American Association of Geographers; American Geographical Society; National Council for Geographic Education; Pacific Science Association and the Conference of Latin Americanist Geographers.
His community service included ten years on City Council, and also as chair of the City Housing Commission. He also was a member of the Planning Commission, the Industrial and Development Committee and the Wood County Mental Health Board. He was a long-standing member and deacon at the First Presbyterian Church in Bowling Green.
Prior to his academic career, he was a tree surgeon in his father’s business, a lifeguard, and a ‘smoke chaser’ with the U.S. Forestry service in Montana.
Tom loved to explore and experience life and new places first-hand. He took the family on numerous cross-country ‘road’ trips to 48 different states, national parks, mountains, oceans, sand dunes, amusement parks and waterfalls. He served in Korea, worked in Venezuela, vacationed in Canada, Costa Rica, Japan, England and Scotland. He and Sylvia spent many winter months over the retirement years vacationing with friends and relatives in Hilton Head, SC and Jekyll Island, GA.
He loved walking in Wintergarden Woods – a regular there with his hand-made hiking stick, trail hat and friendly smile. He bicycled to work most of his career. He also loved swimming, gardening, landscaping, tent camping, row boating, grilling out, tree-trimming, woodworking, playing cards and cribbage, and watching the Cleveland Indians. And, of course, spending time with his family, relatives, friends and pets – and always willing to share a corny joke or pun.
Tom is survived by his brother James Anderson (Anacortes, WA), sister Justine Wittich (Lancaster, OH), daughter Susan Anderson (Bowling Green, OH), son Stefan Anderson (Greendale, WI), daughter Kathryn Derrenberger (Delaware, OH) and grandson Joshua Anderson (Greendale, WI).
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Sylvia (Crum) Anderson, brother Donald Anderson, granddaughter Audrey (Anderson) Levdahl, and son-in-law Mark Derrenberger.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Dunn Funeral Home, located in the Historical District of Bowling Green at 408 West Wooster St. Pastor Gary Saunders will officiate. Visitation will be held Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. A luncheon will be provided following the service.
Memorial contributions may be given in his memory to the Wood County Humane Society.
To share an online condolence with the Anderson family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
