Donald A. Anderson, P.E.
January 9, 1931 - June 22, 2018

Donald A. Anderson, of Ames, Iowa, died at Northcrest Heartwood House on June 22, 2018 in Ames, Iowa from complications of vascular dementia. He was 87 years old. Don and his wife Marie have been residents of Ames since 1956, and in August, would have been married for 64 years.

Don was born in Litchfield, Minnesota, to Axel and Ida Anderson. He graduated in 1949 from Litchfield High School as valedictorian and garnered an Honorary Science Award scholarship from Bausch & Lomb, enabling him to attend Gustavus Adolphus college in St. Peter, Minnesota. He continued his education at the University of Minnesota in the Air Force ROTC program, rising to Lieutenant, and was initiated into to the Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honor Society in his Junior year. He graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with honors. It was while in college that he met Marie.

Shortly after graduation he started his career with the Iowa Highway Commission, now known as the Iowa Department of Transportation, as a Senior Materials Inspector in the Soils Lab. His Air Force commitment took them to the Chitose Air Force Base in Japan where his duties included improving the airport runways in the wake of the Korean War Armistice Agreement. It was in Japan that their first child was born. The Interstate Highway System was authorized on June 29, 1956 under President Eisenhower and they returned to Ames to resume his commitment to building the roads, bridges, highways, and Interstate system that continues to serve Iowans and the country. His career path that started in the Soils Lab progressed to District Engineer, then Deputy Director of Operations, and he completed his career as the Deputy Director of the Iowa DOT-Highway Division when he retired in December 1992.

He was an active member of the Episcopal Parish of Ames since 1961. He loved fishing, gardening, pheasant hunting, numerous pets, raising dachshunds, and his children's achievements. During their life together, Don and Marie traveled extensively. In his retirement years, he enjoyed gardening, golfing, walking and more travel; particularly wintering in Florida.

Don is survived by his wife, Marie Anderson; his children, Duane (Chip) (Mary Kay Muir), Michael S. Anderson, and Lisa M. Anderson; three grandsons, Benjamin Anderson (Venche Kleven), Jonathan Anderson (Caitlin McCullough), Michael J. Anderson; four great-grandchildren Ansley, Caralyn, Dalton and Raylee; sister Dorothy Arnleend, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Floyd Rueckert.

The memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, June 28, St. John's by the Campus Episcopal Church of Ames, 2338 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa. A gathering of friends and family will be 4-6:00p.m. Wednesday at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa.
Online condolences may be directed to: wwwgrandonfuneralandcremationcare.com

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Christ for the Cities International at www.cfci.org/donate/