Obituary of Richard L Anderson

Richard (Dick) L. Anderson, formerly of Montclair, died Thursday morning February 19, 2015 while surrounded by his family at his home in Verona NJ. He was 79 years old. Dick graduated from Glen Ridge High School and Amherst College, class of 1957. He remained an active alumnus, and loved reuniting with his classmates. Dick was the co-captain of the first Amherst Basketball team to make it into the NCAA Championship Tournament. He started his professional career with Kinney Shoes in NYC and rose to become President. While at Kinney, he developed the Canadian retail division for the firm. As a true visionary in the retail industry he became the President of The Woolworth Corporation and served on the boards of several notable firms, including Equitable Life Insurance. Dick loved life and lived it to its fullest. He climbed the Matterhorn right out of college. Afterwards, he spent many wonderful years as a young adult living in Boston, NYC, and Canada. He considered these great days filled with friends he kept his entire life. When he married and had kids, they became the center of his world. He loved being a husband, dad, and friend. Dick was loved by his friends, who took pleasure in playing golf with him and discussing sports and politics, both sincere interests of his. His family thought the world of him. Everybody loved Dick. Dick was a longtime member of both the Bay Head Yacht Club and Montclair Golf Club, where he so enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Dick was a true gentleman, devoted to family, generous and thoughtful of others, great company, principled, and courageous. Dick is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Birgit; three daughters, Christin Anderson of San Francisco, Holly Puleo (James) of Mendham, Karin Anderson of Hoboken, brother, Clifford Anderson of Little Silver, two grandchildren, Lindsey and Andrew, and other extended family members. Memorial donations may be made to Amherst College, P.O. Box 5000, Amherst, MA 01002-5000.