WILLIAMSBURG — Richard Donald “Don” Anderson Sr., 87, formerly of Poquoson, died in the early hours of Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, at Sentara Hospital of Williamsburg, a victim of the coronavirus pandemic.
Since he suffered from dementia, he was unaware of what 2020 had wrought, but was kindly cared for by dedicated hospital, hospice staff and the staff at WindsorMeade Memory Care.
Don was born Aug. 11, 1933, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the fourth son of John Calder and Beatrice (née Lobkowitz) Anderson and spent his early years in Donora, Pennsylvania. After the premature death of his father, an army major, his mother solely supported her sons. This included her working as a secretary at Pennsylvania State University while Don attended as a mechanical engineering student and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps member.
After graduating in 1955, Don served in the U.S. Air Force, which led to a long career in the aerospace industry with over 30 years dedicated to Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. He also enjoyed many years traveling abroad and tailgating to Nittany Lions games, being a lifelong member of the Penn State Alumni Association and the Air Force Association.
He was preceded in death by the mother of his five children, Rose Marie Anderson (née Long) of Fort Kent, Maine; and one grandchild.
Don is survived by his children, Donna Bell, Karen Anderson, Carol van der Kloet, Richard Anderson Jr. and Robert Anderson; second wife, Barbara Anderson (née Lydle) of Akron, Ohio, and her children, Tracie Thomas and Alissa Thomas; and seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
He will be interred Wednesday, Dec. 16, in Parklawn Memorial Park, Hampton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Rose Marie Anderson Memorial Scholarship, Penn State Alumni Association Hampton Roads Chapter.
Share online condolences with the family at Bucktrout of Williamsburg Funeral Service.
