The late Bob Anderson of International Falls is being remembered at Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council as a conservationist dedicated to openness and fair play in the handling of all proposed projects.
Anderson, 77, was serving his second term as chairman of the council when he died unexpectedly Sept. 20. His funeral was Friday.
"We're all going to miss him greatly," Lessard-Sams Executive Director Mark Johnson said. "He did a really good job of keeping that middle of the road. He made sure everything received input."
The 12-person council provides annual funding recommendations to the Legislature for conservation projects throughout the state. The scope of yearly funding has averaged about $100 million, and this year's recommendations — headed for council action on Oct. 7 — will cover outdoors projects worth $120 million.
Acting Lessard-Sams Council Chairman David Hartwell said Anderson's steady leadership is reflected in the council's success in winning legislative approval.
"For the most part our recommendations have passed unscathed, which means our process has worked really well," Hartwell said.
The acting chairman, who founded the Minnesota Land Trust and is an adviser or board member at many businesses, nonprofits and foundations, said he didn't always agree with Anderson on issues but enjoyed a friendly relationship with him.
"He was a gentleman who listened to people," Hartwell said of Anderson.
