Posted: 8/28/02

Wyoming dentist Bob Anderson dies

Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Meet Bob Anderson on the street or in the barbershop and youíd have no idea of the manís profession.

When he wasnít working with patients in his Wyoming dental office, Anderson was just another guy who enjoyed interesting topics but didnít enjoy being in the spotlight.

Anderson, who spent 21 years as a dentist in the Viking Professional Building, died from cancer on Wednesday, Aug. 21. The Hugo resident was 57.

ìHe was just an all-around good guy,î said Russell Mansmith, the owner of the office building in Wyoming and a friend of Anderson since 1981 when he teamed with Gene Rindelaub to open the Wyoming office. In 1971, the two men opened a dental office in White Bear Lake.

Mansmith said Anderson was a frequent visitor in the barbershop where he would enjoy the banter and talk. ìHe was just a common guy,î Mansmith said.

Andersonís wife, Mary, said her husband was ìa modest guy who didnít like attention.î Along with his professional work, Mary Anderson said her husband carved a wide path of community service.

ìIíll remember him for his love and support of family,î she said. ìHe was a great father and provider.î

He was active in many organizations during his lifetime, she said. Before moving to Hugo, he served on the planning commission in Roseville, she said. He was active in the Roseville Jaycees.

He spent 20 years in the White Bear Lake Rotary Club and was a past president. During his Rotary service, he took part in one Rotary medical mission to Jamaica and later made two trips with his wife under the Mission Jamaica program.

He was also a member of the White Bear Lake Masonic Lodge and the Zurah Shrine Club. For the past several years he marched with the Shrine Club Drum & Bugle Corps.

When his two youngest children took up soccer, he studied the sport and learned how to coach the game, his wife said. Through the Mahtomedi Soccer Association, he completed a course in Florida to obtain his coaching license.

But his big love was on the water, Mary said.

ìBobís biggest love was sailing,î she said. ìHe just loved sailing. He took lessons and learned how.î

The couple spent many outings sailing on Lake Superior from Bayfield, WI. In recent years, the Andersons spent winter vacations in St. Thomas where Anderson would captain a boat for a week or so, she said.

Family history

Anderson was born in Nevada but moved to Roseville when he was 2. He graduated from Roseville High School in 1963 and went on to study at the University of Minnesota. He graduated from dental college there in 1969.

He met Rindelaub while working in another practice in Roseville. They became quick friends and partnered to open their White Bear Lake office in 1971. The Wyoming office was formed a decade later.

Funeral details

A celebration of life service for Dr. Robert C. Anderson, DDS, was Saturday, Aug. 24 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi.

He is survived by Mary, his wife of 26 years; four children, Rob (Nikki) Anderson, Fargo, ND; Lisa (Brian) Connery, Lindstrom, and Krystal and Cullen, at home; grandchildren Kaia, Cooper and Kevin; two sisters, Carol Collier, Avon, and Joyce Bengstron, Eagan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Cleo, and one brother, Bruce Anderson.

Memorials are preferred for Krystal and Cullenís college education.

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