Richard P Anderson
Born: April 3rd, 1934
Died: April 9th, 2016
Obituary
Richard P. "Dick" Anderson, 82, of Burlington, died at 6:17 AM Saturday, April 9, 2016, at his home.
Richard was born April 3, 1934, in Burlington, the son of George Hamilton and Esther Susan McCaleb Anderson. He attended Salter Elementary School, Horace Mann Junior High School, and Burlington High School, graduating in June, 1952. He attended the Burlington Junior College and graduated in June 1954 with an AA degree. He went on to the University of Iowa to study Commercial Art, graduating in June, 1956, with a BA degree. He later obtained his Master of Arts Degree also from the University of Iowa. In September 1956, he enlisted in the U.S Army Reserves and was stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas, with the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1956 to 1958. During most of his enlistment years he was in charge of troop education serving as Training NCO. After his honorable discharge in 1958, he shortly went to work as a Commercial Artist for the Winegard and Kirkwood Companies in Burlington.
In March of 1960 he went back to the University of Iowa to obtain a teaching certificate. In the fall of 1961, he was hired by the Burlington School District as the BHS Art Teacher. He remained in that capacity for 35 years, retiring in June of 1996. In September of 1962 he began teaching oil painting for the evening Adult Education program which he taught for over 20 years. It was during one of his Adult Education classes that the idea for the Burlington Art Guild was born. Mr. Anderson was a Charter Member of that guild. For several years he also taught painting at the Art Center; and after his retirement, Calligraphy at Stoermers Arts and Crafts Store. In 1968 Mr. Anderson was named the Outstanding Young Educator of the Year by the Burlington Jaycees, an award he coveted.
On August 15, 1970, he married Arlet Lingenfelter at the Grace United Methodist Church in Burlington.
Mr. Anderson was a member of Wings of Praise Fellowship Church in West Burlington where he served as an usher and participated in the puppet ministry. Prior to being a member at Wings of Praise, he was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Burlington, where he was baptized as a youngster. For many years, he sang tenor in its church choir, taught a 6th grade Sunday School Class, served as Sunday School Superintendent, and for 23 years was Youth Counselor for the Methodist Youth Fellowship. He was also a member of the Concerned Christians in Education and the Des Moines County Retired School Personnel.
In the fall of 2004 Mr. Anderson developed and taught a high school art class part-time at the Great River Christian School. He continued teaching there for 10 years. Other interests included traveling to all 50 states, all Canadian provinces, many foreign countries and cruises; his church; following the Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball teams, and the many activities of his grandchildren. He loved and enjoyed his family very much, as they were a very important part of his life. Mr. Anderson was always excited about Christmas and played Santa Claus for individuals, groups and churches, even his family, for over 50 years, an activity that brought him immense joy. Many churches in Burlington and the surrounding area have a chalk drawing of Christ on their wall which Dick drew during a 'chalktalk' performance.
Besides his wife, Mr. Anderson is survived by one son, Todd R. Anderson of Burlington, and one daughter Amy M. Shepherd, also of Burlington, one brother Donald G. (Beulah) Anderson of Prosper, Texas, 6 grandchildren, Austin, Blake, Callie, and Cameron Anderson, Ellie and Mason Shepherd of Burlington as well as nieces and nephews.
He was preceding in death by his parents.
Visitation will be from noon until 7:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Monday, April 11, 2016 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home & Crematory.
The funeral service for Mr. Anderson will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, April 12, 2016, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home & Crematory with Brenda Distelhorst officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home & Crematory following the burial.
Memorials have been established for the Wings of Praise Fellowship Church and the Parkinson's Association of South East Iowa.