Hugo B. "Andy" Anderson, Jr.

His smile was infectious, his laughter … contagious … and his sense of humor was undoubtedly witty! He loved to see just how “long” it took for you to “get the joke” and then, that’s when his smile and laughter took over! He could fill a room with his joy and enthusiasm.

Hugo (Andy) Anderson was a truly genuine and kind friend, a loving husband and a devoted father.

On Monday July 27, … our dad, Andy – simply did not wake up in this world – but rather woke up to another beautiful world that had been waiting for him. What a glorious day and reunion for him, Marylou, his family, friends and … pets!

It is a time for reflection for us, to step away from the daily routine, to reminisce, tell stories, maybe cry a bit, but mostly talk about how fortunate we have been, to have such a great dad. We have stumbled across a lot of “goodies” from the past: from his Army honorable discharge papers, cards and notes, to his resume! We would like to share just a few things with you, as you remember Andy. We hope they stir and conjure up joyful memories of your own.

No doubt, he has already had his first scotch and cigar, on the other side!

Hugo Bernard Anderson Jr. (that’s right, he was a Jr.!) was born in Chicago on October 21, 1927. He lived a normal kid’s life with his older brother Chuck, younger sister Joanne and brother Dick. He earned a little money resetting bowling pins by hand, figured out how to get to Wrigley Field to watch his beloved Cubs and learned how to lay flooring with his dad, Hugo Sr.

Some of his fondest memories that he loved were of his time at Bass Lake. His mom inherited a farm near the lake and Andy spent many summers there. He told the story that once he and a friend attempted to their ride bikes from Chicago to Bass Lake on the back roads. After a while they decided to turn back!

Andy went to Calumet High School in Chicago and was in the ROTC. He graduated mid-year, then joined the Army in February 1946. He served until August 1947. This time produced some of his fondest memories and in hindsight, probably instilled in him the importance of teamwork and helped develop his leadership skills.

He began his army career at Camp Robinson in Little Rock, Arkansas for basic training. After training he boarded a train headed to Washington State. As he told the story, at some point, the train stopped, was divided, with half of the train going to Washington, and perhaps on to Asia, and his half going to Camp Carson, Colorado to join the 10th Mountain Division for mountain training.

In the mountains, this Chicago kid learned about “climbing and had the most fun of all repelling, especially the 100 to 150 foot drops.” The winter at Cooper Hill (Leadville, Colorado) was very memorable as well… “living in tents at the timberline and having a snow that lasted ten days and nights is something no one could forget.” Importantly from that experience, Andy learned the hard way of how to keep his boots warm! He was a driver for the Regimental staff and was fortunate to drive his commanders down the mountain to base camp for the weekends, where he himself could stay and get a hot meal!

After the Army he came home to Bass Lake and started a concrete manufacturing business with his dad, called Bass Lake Concrete Company. Hugo Sr. passed unexpectedly, leaving Andy to do all aspects of the business from the labor to sales.

In September of 1948 he began laying linoleum, as his father had taught him, while he waited to become a student in January of 1949 at the American TV School in Chicago. After a semester of school and with the need to make a living, he became a Fuller Brush salesman and then worked for the Studebaker Corporation.

In February of 1952 he landed a job at ASR Products, Kingsbury Division, and began climbing the company ladder; from being a clerk, to an assistant foreman, manager and then the Lead Foreman of Transportation and Salvage, supervising 30 employees.

All of his working experience prepared him for a long career with Farm Bureau Insurance and honed his abilities to interact, work with, and lead people and teams. At the core, Andy was a person who truly enjoyed meeting people and conversing, whether it was through work experiences, family gatherings or just in passing.

While living at Bass Lake, Andy met the love of his life, Marylou Gysin from Culver. One of his friends brought her as his date to a dance club. Andy was quit smitten with her and later politely asked his friend how serious they were, as he wanted to ask her out on a date. Thank goodness his friend said they were “just friends”, and Andy asked Marylou out. The rest is history as they say and on April 18, 1952 they were married in Culver.

Andy and Marylou had two children, John Bruce and Toni Marie and together they created a suitcase full of memories growing up in Culver on Lake Maxinkuckee. Their little house on the lake was only 6 steps away from Pop’s house (Marylou’s dad). With a lake for their front yard and Pop next door, the world was full of endless creative opportunities for Marylou and Andy’s two youngsters!

Opportunity then came knocking on the door for Andy. On October 20, 1960, a day before his 33rd birthday, he became a sales agent for Farm Bureau Insurance. That started a thirty year career as he worked his way quickly from being a Field Agent to becoming an Agency Manager, a Regional Sales Manager, then the Vice President of Marketing at the home office in Indianapolis, to finally the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations. Imagine that, Andy running a large Marketing and Public Relations department! He was quite “right” for the position!

The family moved from Culver for a short time to Danville, then Fort Wayne and finally Indianapolis. But Andy and Marylou had the foresight to keep that little family house on Lake Maxinkuckee, which had been in Marylou’s family since 1909. The Culver home eventually became their retreat and sanctuary and a place for family and friends to come together, converse, relax and enjoy each other’s company!

Andy loved Lake Maxinkuckee. He loved sitting on the front porch and watching the lake change with each day and season. He loved sitting on the deck smoking a cigar and having his favorite drink of Dewar’s scotch and water, after 5 p.m., of course!

His family grew, with Toni marrying Bob, having 3 boys, John, Tim and Tom… and Bruce marrying Viki. Andy loved when everyone could be at the lake together. He loved driving the boat (all day sometimes), pulling either a skier or tuber – no doubt one of the grandkids or us. The little house was full of fun and laughter.

He and Marylou were so fortunate in many ways, not only with the gift of a wonderful family – but also with the opportunities that his position at Farm Bureau offered through incentive travel. And travel they did!

There were fishing trips to Canada, as well as trips to Florida, New Orleans, Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Hawaii. But probably some of the most memorable trips were to sites that neither could have imagined in the early 1950’s as they raised their young children. Just to name a few, there were Caribbean cruises as well as trips to; Acapulco, Switzerland, Ireland, England, Bermuda, Rio in Brazil, Rome in Italy and Australia!

While Marylou departed us too early in 2009, dad continued to be devoted to us, and watched his family grow again; as John married Sarah and had two children, William and Jack, Tim met and married Christine while in the Army stationed in Italy, and Tom became a university student after 8 years of being a Marine. Needless to say, Andy was ever so “in love” and proud of his family.

Over the last four years, dad lived in two senior communities. He met so many beautiful friends, both residents and staff. We cannot name them all. They are wonderful and helped dad navigate these final years with grace, humility and of course, humor and laughter. To name just a very few: thank you to Jalene, Judith, Phebe, Caryl, Jo, and Lin for your support and encouragement. A word of wisdom from Andy – always make sure the coffee is hot and that there is toast for breakfast!

There are so many stories to tell. After dad’s passing – we went to our little home in Culver on Lake Maxinkuckee, to be together as family, to laugh, cry and reminisce. The lake and house provide us solace and always welcomes us with a history of family love. We know dad and mom would want us to be together in Culver.

As you sit on your porch chair or favorite resting place, please raise a glass to Hugo / Andy / Dad / Grandpa / Great-Grandpa and toast to all the fortunes that we have: family, good friends and good times … not only from the past but also for those to come. Andy would have it no other way.

Lastly, if you have a memory that you would like to share, we welcome your story, just to know more about our dad … Andy. Blessings to all, may your days always be filled with joy and a hint of that infectious smile and laughter that dad had.


Toni Gannon and Bruce and Viki Anderson

gannon@xmission.com
vbanderson@aol.com