Robert Monte Anderson was born February 19, 1938. Decades ago, he and a ski buddy agreed that the perfect way to end a life well-lived would be to keel over at the end of an epic ski day. The plan worked out for the buddy, but not for Bob. Always the fastest in the group, Bob, or “Macht Schnell,” eventually had to retire from skiing and turned to motorcycle riding.
Bob was raised in Logan by his loving parents, E. LeRoy Anderson and Grace Rasmussen Anderson, with his siblings Kristen and Ross “Rocky.” Bob played basketball and football in high school, and early on developed an acute intellectual curiosity. Bob inherited his father’s wicked sense of humor, which he maintained until the end.
Bob attended Columbia University, and the boy from Logan immersed himself in the cultural and intellectual wonders of New York City. He was involved in the Blue Key Honor Society, Sigma Chi, and mentored local youth. Bob returned to Utah to attend the University of Utah Law School. Upon graduation he started his long legal career at VanCott Bagley, where he met his wife, Kathleen Hansen, and together they raised three children in Salt Lake City. Bob was known for lively political and social discussions, and always encouraged his children to think for themselves.
Bob was a skilled lawyer and devoted more than 50 years to the pursuit of legal excellence and justice. He was active in Rotary, Inns of Court, many other legal and service organizations, and found a special joy in informally advising his brother Rocky in his political campaigns. Bob believed that a successful society is fair and accepting, and provides enrichment and basic necessities for its citizens, and was an active supporter of many local and national philanthropic causes. Bob’s work with local organizations included serving on the board of The Children's Center and authoring Utah House Bill 105, which made it mandatory for the public schools of Utah to educate all children, regardless of any disability.
Bob and Kate were fortunate to explore many places in the world, together and with their friends and children and grandchildren. Bob had a special fondness for France and the French Alps, Scandinavia, Kolob, and family trips to Hanalei, Kauai. Bob had many wonderful and devoted friends over his life, from the Cottonwood Club, Alta Club, bridge, tennis, and dinner groups, his law firms, the Dirty Shirts Club, and the Quorum of the 70s motorcycle club.
Bob is survived by his wife Kate, his children Jennifer (Drury), Katrina (Jason), and Alex (Sara), his grandchildren Winston, Vivian, Reese, and Ewan, his brother Rocky, nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Kristen.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Bob’s family suggests donations to organizations special to Bob, including the ACLU, Sierra Club, Utah Symphony, Hogle Zoo, KUER, or the progressive cause of your choice. A special thank you to Bob’s walking buddy Hugh Gardner, his longtime physician Carol Osborne MD, and the caring staff of St. Joseph’s Villa Rehabilitation Unit.
