Dr. Roger Eugene Anderson

Anderson, Dr. Roger Eugene 86, died Dec. 3, 2012, at the Walker Methodist Health Care Center in Minneapolis following a long battle with cancer. He was born in Minneapolis on Sept. 25, 1926. His parents were Godfrey and Emma Anderson and he had two brothers William (Billy) and Robert (Bobby) all of whom predeceased Roger. Roger graduated from Marshall High School in Minneapolis and then entered the University of Minnesota where he ultimately graduated with a medical degree. He was always an excellent student and very disciplined in his studies. After graduation from medical school he went into the U.S. Navy as a medical doctor and was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Air Station in Illinois. Upon being honorably discharged he did his residency in Radiology at Dartmouth College School of Medicine/Hospital in Hanover, New Hampshire. As a practitioner he was on staff at Deaconess and Abbott Northwestern Hospitals and was a partner in Consulting Radiologists, working out of their downtown Minneapolis and Southdale Medical Building offices. He also provided services to hospitals in Austin and Albert Lea. Roger was totally dedicated to his career as a Radiologist and to being the best doctor that he could be. His home had stacks of medical journals, and he would religiously read every article and then carefully file the magazine for future use. Roger was a lifelong resident of southeast Minneapolis and an avid enthusiast for the cultural, artistic and architectural goings on at the University of Minnesota and in Minneapolis. He traveled outside of Minnesota very seldom and then only for medical/professional conferences or to visit relatives. He said "there is enough in Minneapolis for me". He was a very generous donor to many of our top cultural organizations including the Minnesota Historical Society, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Minnesota Dance Theater, and the Weisman Art Museum. He loved to go for walks in and around the University Campus, around the golf course or in his Prospect Park neighborhood. Roger was an avid golfer. He enjoyed playing until health restricted his ability, and he regularly watched golf on TV. He lived his life with uncompromising adherence to strict moral values of honesty, personal discipline, trustworthiness, loyalty and respect for others. Because of these traits he played an important part in many of our lives. Roger was everybody's favorite relative. He had many cousins in the Twin Cities area and he participated in all of our family functions. His company was very much enjoyed by all and his presence will be missed. He was very grateful and thankful to his condominium neighbors for their generosity in helping him to get to cancer treatments on a daily basis. He is survived by his three nephews, William (Bill), Richard (Dick), and Thomas (Tom) Anderson; and by numerous cousins and lifelong friends who were such a big part of his life. A reception and celebration of his life will take place on Dec. 27 at the Weisman Art Museum University of Minnesota Campus, 6pm to 9pm. Never underestimate the importance of setting a good example - Roger was an inspiration to all who knew him.

Published on December 8, 2012