Richard (Richie) Anderson's death was a shock to many.  He died on May 7, 2010, of a sudden and aggressive brain tumor that ended the life of this golfing legend of our Class of 1958.

Classmate Linda Lindquist Daube, upon hearing of Richie's passing, recalled these propitious words that summarize the eulogy his paster spoke for him at his funeral -- words of William Penn in More Fruits of Solitude, -- "Death is but crossing the world, as friends do the seas; they live in one another still...This is the comfort of friends, that though they may be said to die, yet their friendship and society are, in the best sense, ever present, because they are immortal."

Richie crossed the world.  He was a comfort to his family.  Though he died, and golfs no more along the links, fairways and greens of the world's greatest golf courses, Richie has inspired us all with the sheer beauty of his golf swing, the accuracy of his ball, and the score on his golf card.  He was an athlete to emulate.  His attitude toward every course, every player and every circumstance was that of a true gentlemen of the art of the sport of golf.

Richie went home to his Lord and Savior at the age of 70, after only a month-long illness with brain cancer.  He was preceded in death by parents "Red" and Harriet Anderson.  He is survived by devoted son Rick and daughter-in-law Rebecca; precious grandsons Alex and Will; siblings Gail (John) Gannon, Penney (David) Bernier, Bob Anderson, Bill Anderson; many nieces, nephews, and their families. 

After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in business, Richie worked for National Cash Register as an accounting machine salesman until 1971.  At NCR he met his wife, Sue, who he married in 1968.  Their son, Rick, was born in 1970.  Shortly thereafter Richie worked for IDS and then formed his own investment and insurance business, which he worked for the next 15 years.  Of late he had been active in the wines and spirits business and the hotel business, which he worked with his son Rick.  Sue and Richie separated in 1990 and finally divorced in 1995.  Sue said they had simply grown apart in the manner of how one philosophically looks at one's marriage.  With Richie gone so much of the time on golfing expeditions, life at home was not what Sue expected.  But Richie always loved Sue, and told his friends as much; he never wanted to become involved in another marriage.  Within days of his passing, Richie called Sue to alert her of his illness.  They remained friends until the end, although Sue had been remarried for a number of years.  Sue remains close to son Rick and his family, just as Richie would have wanted.

Richie lived a very full and faithful life.  His son Rick said of his father, "Dad played golf, and I stayed at home in the business and solved problems."  Together they owned France 44, a wine and spirits store.  Richie was active in the business community and was a mentor to many young business entrepreneurs.  He was a passionate amateur golf enthusiast and a longtime member of Interlachen Country Club.  Following turning age 55, Richie played yearly in 20-25 tournaments throughout the United States and many times abroad.  Golf lead him to Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Panama.  He competed in such events as the USGA Senior Amateur, USGA Mid-Amateur, Canadian Senior Match Play, Canadian Senior Medal Play, British Senior Open, British Senior Amateur, and the ASIA Pacific Senior Championships.  In Minnesota Richie won the Minnesota State Senior Amateur Championship at age 55 and the Minnesota State Super Senior Championship at age 65.  Richie was the #1 ranked Super Senior (> 65) Amateur Golfer in the United States in 2009.  In 2007, while golfing on the Big Island of Hawaii, Richie shot his age -- a 67 on a par 72 Nicklaus-designed course at the Four Seasons Resort.  He was especially proud of that feat.  He will be missed by many family and friends he made while engaged in numerous business activities and at a variety of golfing venues during his entire life.

Richie had been golfing with friends in Rancho Mirage, California, when they noticed he was acting strangely.  After a visit to the doctor, Richie was diagnosed with a brain tumor and they operated immediately, removing 95% of the tumor.  He communicated with his relatives and friends that he was feeling OK and would be returning to Minnesota for some chemotherapy.  But after only one night at home, he was back in Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, then quickly to a Hospice in Edina, where he survived only another week, due to the very aggressive growth of the brain tumor.  Naturally, for someone who appeared to be the epitomy of good health, Richie's passing was a complete surprise.

On the family side, Richie's two grandsons (ages 4 and 7 at the time of his passing), are his pride and joy.  He said of them, "What a mulligan; all the joy and none of the responsibilities."  He kept in touch with all of his friends from high school, who remark that life with Richie was great.  They renewed their friendship often and it never wavered.

 Those of us who knew Richie Anderson will miss him very much.