Richard William 'Dick' Anderson

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Richard William “Dick” Anderson, 81, of Ashland, Wis., passed away Sunday, June 2, 2013, at Fairview University Medical Center in Minneapolis.

He was born April 3, 1932, in Ashland, the son of John William “Bill” and Margaret (Staedtler) Anderson. In 1950, he graduated from Ashland High School.

On Feb. 25, 1950, Dick married Shirley Dowden, in Ashland. He worked for Central Baking Company (Christie’s), Ashland Dye Works, Modern Cleaners and Marathon Corporation. While working for Marathon Paper Company and raising three children with his wife, Dick graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Northland College in 1965. In 1971, he received a Masters of Arts in education from University of Wisconsin-Superior.

His wife Shirley passed away on Jan. 9, 1973, after losing her battle with leukemia.

On Nov. 29, 1974, he married Gail Lake, in Wakefield, Mich.

In 1967, he started his 24 years of education at Ondossagon Public Schools, first as an elementary teacher and then as teacher and principal. Dick taught one year at Ashland Middle School before spending three years at the Suring Public Schools where he was an elementary and junior high school principal, retiring in 1994. Following his retirement, Dick worked as a volunteer teacher at Zion Lutheran Christian School from 1994 to 2001, and in 2002, he volunteered for the Celebration Christian Academy. He loved teaching and shared a great relationship and respect with his students. He was known as Mr. A to all of his students.

Dick enjoyed traveling and collecting; his favorite among them being beer cans and Ashland memorabilia. He volunteered at the Ashland Historical Museum and was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Ashland and the Brewery Collectible Club of America.

He is survived by his wife, Gail Anderson, Ashland; three children, David (Diane) Anderson, Ashland, Barbara (Bill) Tomczak, Park Falls, Wis., and James (Gail Fox) Anderson, Ashland; nine grandchildren, Sunny (Paul) Hawkinson, Justin (Mica) Anderson, Michelle (Mike) Nelson, Christy (Erica) Tomczak, John (Careen Martin) Tomczak, Nick (Tracy Pero) Anderson, Jamie Anderson, Carlee (Adam) Turgeon and Markie (Gerard Fry) Anderson; nine great-grandchildren, Cole, Summer, Liam, Seth, Sydney, Naya, Taylor, Olivia and Cade; a brother, Donald “Bub” (Glenna “Chick”) Anderson, Bayfield, Wis .; a mother-in-law, Corrine Lake, Wakefield; brother-in-law, Gordon Lake, Wakefield; two sisters-in-law, Lori Poulos, Bessemer, Mich., and Diana (John) Ewald, Pulaski, Wis .; aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins; and good friends, Dale Neibaur, Reino Hill and young special friend, Garrett Kabasa.

Besides his first wife, Shirley, he was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant son, Larry.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 8, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Ashland, with the Rev. Dale Chesley officiating.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church.

Inurnment will take place at a later date in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Ashland.

A memorial fund in Richard’s name will be established.

To view this obituary online, sign the guestbook or express online condolences, visit us at bratleyfamilyfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are by the Bratley Funeral Home in Washburn, Wis.