Posted by James "Mike" Allen on February 7, 2005:

Bob Anderson, 59, who served as an Army infantry officer during the Vietnam War and retired from the Central Intelligence Agency in 1996, died January 30 of cancer at Inova Alexandria Hospital. He had resided in Arlington for 20 years. A son of a blacksmith, Mr. Anderson was born in Rock Island, Illinois. He was a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1969. Commissioned Infantry, he was also Airborne and Ranger qualified. After serving in the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, he was assigned to the 196th Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division, Republic of Vietnam. During his eighteen months in Vietnam as a Long Range Reconnaissance Platoon leader and assistant operations officer, he was wounded in combat three times. Later, as an Intelligence Desk Officer in the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, he frequently fielded questions from then National Security Advisor, Dr. Henry Kissinger. His decorations included two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star, and the Army Commendation Medal. He resigned from active duty in 1976. Mr. Anderson, an engineer, returned to Washington to join the CIA in 1985, serving as a program manager until he retired from Federal Service in 1996. He received the Intelligence Commendation Medal from the Agency upon his retirement. He then joined The Boeing Company, working at the regional area office until his death. He was a member of the Washington Woodworkers Guild, and his wide-ranging interests included hand building period furniture from the 17th century, traditional rug hooking, fly fishing, and car restoration. He was most noted in Arlington for having built his home entirely by himself, mastering skills such as framing, slate roofing, and brick laying as needed. Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Shirley A. Anderson of Arlington; two daughters, Tanya M. Anderson of Phoenix, Arizona, and Andrea L. Wilkinson of Alexandria; three brothers and one sister; and three grandchildren. Biography supplied by: Anderson Family, as printed for the memorial service, Arlington, Va, 6 Feb05.

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