Kenneth E. "Andy" Anderson, a partner in Saratoga Land and Cattle Company, died of natural causes in Port Charlotte, Fla. on Thursday, March 31. He was born in Miller, Kan. on July 29, 1923 to Elsie and Carl Anderson. Shortly after his father died in 1935, he moved to Ottawa, Kan. with his mother, younger brother and sister. He graduated from Ottawa High School and subsequently enrolled in Washburn University in Topeka, Kan. and Washington University in St. Louis where he had received an art scholarship. He was a talented artist and during his college career won numerous awards for his etchings, posters and advertisements.
The day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps as a pilot trainee. He flew and was trained at multiple air bases in Texas, Fla. and La. He graduated as a second lieutenant pilot from the U.S. Air Corp and was stationed in Norfolk, England with the 445 Heavy Bomber Group for one and a half years. He received an Air Medal and Presidential Citation Medal for the 11 bombing missions over various German industrial cities in the B-24 Liberator he piloted. Casualties were high among his fighter group with one out of every eight pilots being killed in action. Andy also served in the Korean War as a refueling pilot in a B-29 Super Fortress over the North Sea and North Africa
After the war he enrolled in the University of Denver to finish his education and graduated with a degree in political science in 1947. He began selling life insurance for Kansas City Life Insurance Company during his college days and ended up staying with Kansas City Life for over 45 years. He was consistently one of the top 5 sales agents out of over 2500 agents for Kansas City Life for the majority of his career and was a Qualifying Life Member of the Million Dollar Round Table for 39 consecutive years.
Andy received multiple regional and national awards including the J. Stanley Edwards "Oscar" Award in 1996, the National Sales Master Award in 1995 and numerous other awards for his production and overall commitment to the life insurance industry. Additionally, he was a well-known and sought after keynote speaker for many life insurance industry conferences and events.
Andy married Theda C. Bonner on August 31, 1946 at the Washington Park Community Church in Denver, Colo. The couple lived in Denver for three years and subsequently moved to Sterling, Colo. in 1949 with Kansas City Life Insurance Company. Andy and Theda raised three children in Sterling and currently maintain residences in Sterling, Colo., Punta Gorda, Fla. and Saratoga.
Andy's numerous interests included a sculpting, carving, gardening, investing and, above all, fishing.
During his retirement he followed his art passion and created numerous seascape and ocean wildlife bronzes and wood carvings, which have been displayed in numerous Florida and Colorado art shows/exhibits.
Andy's passion for fishing is legendary ... and so are his stories. From fishing for trout at his ranch in Saratoga to fishing for tarpon and red fish in Charlotte Harbor, Fla. to fishing for marlin in Mexico–the stories and experiences are priceless and will be cherished and remembered by all Andy's friends and family.
He was involved with and instrumental in several real estate investments including Country Club Hills, in partnership with the Vandemoer family, Sherwood Village Apartments in Colorado Springs and several Denver Tech Center office complexes.
He had a very active life in Sterling, Colo. and served on the Northeastern College Foundation Board, was a Director of Wells Fargo Bank (formerly Security State Bank/Norwest Bank) for over 30 years, was active in the Kiwanis Club and was an Elder and Deacon in the Sterling Presbyterian Church. Andy and Theda have also been long-time supporters of the Monahan Library, K.E. Anderson art scholarships for NJC students, and various other Sterling civic organizations.
Andy is survived by his wonderful wife Theda of 69 years, daughter Judy and Doug Mohr of Parker, Colo.; daughter Kim and Rick Stone of Golden, Colo.; son Kent and Kay Anderson of Wilmington, N.C., grandchildren Jeff Mohr and wife Jade, Brett Mohr, Kaelin and Kelsey Stone and sister Jean Donelson of Punta Gorda, Fla. He is preceded in death by his brother Norman Anderson of Topeka, Kan. and his parents Carl and Elsie Anderson.
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