RONALD DAVID ANDERSON

GREENVILLE, OXBOW and KAILUA, Hawaii – Ronald David Anderson left his earthly abode at the Castle Medical Center, Feb. 21, 2004, at 3:50 a.m. Hawaii time. Ronald was born March 1, 1946, the son of Maurice and the late Ruth (Duty) Anderson. He was baptized at the Union Evangelical Church (Congregational) of Greenville “Christmas Sunday,” Dec. 25 1950. As soon as he became eligible, he attended church camp (Pilgrim Lodge) up to and through his high school years. He loved being with a crowd. He particularly liked all sports but participated in basketball only. He was usually a high scorer and many times the highest. In basketball he played to win and in golf, he played for fun. He particularly liked going to camp on Chesuncook Lake and the part he enjoyed the most was gravitating to the boom house at mealtime to join the Micmac Indian River Drivers. In his pre-school years, he sometimes went hunting with his dad and his favorite location was on the old railroad bed leading to Fourth Street John Pond. This was an old GNP Railroad. He was far too young to carry or hold a gun but he liked to go with the guide, The Dam Tender of Seboomook Dam, Herb Johnson. Herb was one to play practical jokes and this is what Ron liked. After Herb shot the birds, Ron would retrieve them. For several years after the hunting trips, he used to give Herb a box of cigars at Christmas time. When his presence was unknown around home or was wanted for something, the first place to call was the residence of Rance and Ruth McEachern and their two sons. He was there or had gone to some other location and they would usually know where he had gone. He had to be with people or a crowd, if possible. His favorite place while visiting in Aroostook was the home of Margaret and Had MacDonald. Had would tease him and that was just what he wanted. He attended Camp Roosevelt, a Boy Scout Camp, but for some reason did not get too excited with it. Ron was graduated from Greenville High School in 1964. He was graduated from Higgins Classical Institute in 1965. He then entered the University of Maine at Presque Isle, to participate in their athletic program. At the end of the first semester, he decided his formal education was over. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at the Bangor Recruiting Office on April 4, 1966. He was sent directly to Chanute Air Base or was transferred there at a later date. There he remained until the end of his enlistment on April 3, 1972. He was promoted to Sergeant on Aug. 1, 1968, and held this rank until discharge. His family had been unaware he had been promoted until receiving a copy of his discharge papers in the mail. He remained in Illinois for several years and was employed in a grocery store, as his first civilian employment. He came to Aroostook in 1986 for a few months, and was employed at Shop n’ Save in Presque Isle in the same capacity. He again returned to Illinois, where he preformed the same type of work. Several years ago, he moved to Hawaii, where he began working at Safeway and continued until forced to retire due to health problems. He loved walking on the beach in Kailua, observing the erosion and restoration of the shoreline by the Pacific Ocean, just a few yards from his home. For the last several months he made many visits to the Castle Medical Center, where he received the best care by the medical, surgical and regular staff of that institution. The floor nurses were outstanding and caring. The family had spoken to one of the nurses, Jan Anderson, the day before his passing, who had known Ron when he was an employee at Safeway, and who also had the same name as one of his family members. Ron was predeceased by his mom, Ruth (Duty) Anderson, in 1986, while he was here on vacation. Survivors include his dad, Maurice Anderson of Oxbow; his daughter, Amy of Champaigne, III.; his brother, Richard Hamlin and his wife, Elizabeth, of Cape Elizabeth; his four nieces and nephew (The four D’s), Donna of Gilbert, Ariz., Diane of Hallowell, David of Phoenix, Ariz., and Debbie of South Portland; his Hawaiian family who made his house a home, Teresita Navarro and her daughter. His remains were entrusted to the care of Ultimate Cremation of Honolulu, Hawaii. The ashes are to be presented to his longtime homemaker, Teresita Navarro of Kailua, Hawaii, for final disposition. For those wishing to express their sympathy and in remembrance of Ron may do so by donating to the Ruth (Duty) Anderson Memorial of the Union Evangelical Church of Greenville, P.O. Box 368, ME 04441. A memorial service will be conducted in Greenville at a later date.