Robert James Anderson

Robert James Anderson faded from this life at his home in Geneva Florida on Christmas Eve.  Robert was an outstanding example of medical technology, having lived 12 years with an LVAD (Left Ventricle Assistive Device) when the average patient lives only 5 years.

Robert, “Bob”, Anderson was born October 17, 1945 in Iowa Falls and shared the hospital nursery with his lifelong friend and classmate Lowell Coburn.  Parents Hector and Ruby (Benson) Anderson, welcomed this new addition to the family farm south east of Dows.

Robert attended school at Dows and was graduated with the class of 1963 from Dows High School.  He furthered his education at Iowa State University and was graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture.  With diploma in hand, he began a career in agriculture with his first job at Hertz Farm Management. Several years later, he began what would be his life long career, and proudest accomplishment, writing farm loans for young farmers for the United States Department of Agriculture. Upon his retirement from USDA he made renting houses in Webster City and farm ground near Dows into hobbies. Wanting to live in warmth and sunshine, he and his nurse, Linda moved to his cousin Linda Vitale’s horse ranch near Geneva FL. In 2023. This warmth afforded him the pleasure of gardening year round and going to Daytona Beach to soak up the sun.

He was preceded in death by his parents Hector and Ruby Anderson, and dear friend Nick Hartmann.  He is survived by wife Judith, Ames, companion and nurse Linda, Geneva FL, brother Roger, Prior Lake MN, cousin Linda Vitale and fiancé Steve Arrona, Geneva FL,as well as other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Robert’s Life will be held Saturday, May 18 at the Dows Community Center at 1 PM.