Anders grew up in Multnomah County, Oregon. He began his career in radio broadcasting in the 1950s, singing and playing music on Saturday mornings for Tillamook radio station KTIL. He stayed with KTIL until he was drafted into the armed forces, where he served as a radio repairman. When his tenure was up, he returned to radio, filling voice positions at KFLW (Klamath Falls), KXL (Portland), and KPOJ (Portland).
While working for KPOJ, Anders heard of an opening for a children's show called Popeye's Pier 12 on KPTV. He replaced Bob Adkins (better known as "Addie Bobkins") in Popeye's Pier 12, and in the early 1970s Popeye's Pier 12 was renamed the Ramblin' Rod Show.
By the late 1970s Anders had begun to put message buttons on his cardigan, all of which were given to him by adoring fans. Within a few years, most of his cardigan was covered in buttons. Over the years, he collected these buttons, and stored them in a hanger. At the time of his death, Anders had collected over 25,000 buttons from his little guests.
Each year, Anders helped anchor the KPTV local coverage of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon and the Easter Seals Telethon. He also was the in-house studio announcer for KPTV for many years.
In his retirement, Anders enjoyed flying and spending time with his family. Anders built a small airstrip and a log cabin near the community of Buxton in Washington County and called it The Apple Valley Airport.
He died suddenly in May, 2002 at age 69 of a stroke, suffered while making a personal appearance at the grand opening of a Gresham, OR thrift store.
Anders was survived by a wife, Pati, and five children: Stephanie, Vincent, Karla, Robyn, and Dana.
While working for KPOJ, Anders heard of an opening for a children's show called Popeye's Pier 12 on KPTV. He replaced Bob Adkins (better known as "Addie Bobkins") in Popeye's Pier 12, and in the early 1970s Popeye's Pier 12 was renamed the Ramblin' Rod Show.
By the late 1970s Anders had begun to put message buttons on his cardigan, all of which were given to him by adoring fans. Within a few years, most of his cardigan was covered in buttons. Over the years, he collected these buttons, and stored them in a hanger. At the time of his death, Anders had collected over 25,000 buttons from his little guests.
Each year, Anders helped anchor the KPTV local coverage of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon and the Easter Seals Telethon. He also was the in-house studio announcer for KPTV for many years.
In his retirement, Anders enjoyed flying and spending time with his family. Anders built a small airstrip and a log cabin near the community of Buxton in Washington County and called it The Apple Valley Airport.
He died suddenly in May, 2002 at age 69 of a stroke, suffered while making a personal appearance at the grand opening of a Gresham, OR thrift store.
Anders was survived by a wife, Pati, and five children: Stephanie, Vincent, Karla, Robyn, and Dana.
Anders grew up in Multnomah County, Oregon. He began his career in radio broadcasting in the 1950s, singing and playing music on Saturday mornings for Tillamook radio station KTIL. He stayed with KTIL until he was drafted into the armed forces, where he served as a radio repairman. When his tenure was up, he returned to radio, filling voice positions at KFLW (Klamath Falls), KXL (Portland), and KPOJ (Portland).
While working for KPOJ, Anders heard of an opening for a children's show called Popeye's Pier 12 on KPTV. He replaced Bob Adkins (better known as "Addie Bobkins") in Popeye's Pier 12, and in the early 1970s Popeye's Pier 12 was renamed the Ramblin' Rod Show.
By the late 1970s Anders had begun to put message buttons on his cardigan, all of which were given to him by adoring fans. Within a few years, most of his cardigan was covered in buttons. Over the years, he collected these buttons, and stored them in a hanger. At the time of his death, Anders had collected over 25,000 buttons from his little guests.
Each year, Anders helped anchor the KPTV local coverage of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon and the Easter Seals Telethon. He also was the in-house studio announcer for KPTV for many years.
In his retirement, Anders enjoyed flying and spending time with his family. Anders built a small airstrip and a log cabin near the community of Buxton in Washington County and called it The Apple Valley Airport.
He died suddenly in May, 2002 at age 69 of a stroke, suffered while making a personal appearance at the grand opening of a Gresham, OR thrift store.
Anders was survived by a wife, Pati, and five children: Stephanie, Vincent, Karla, Robyn, and Dana.
While working for KPOJ, Anders heard of an opening for a children's show called Popeye's Pier 12 on KPTV. He replaced Bob Adkins (better known as "Addie Bobkins") in Popeye's Pier 12, and in the early 1970s Popeye's Pier 12 was renamed the Ramblin' Rod Show.
By the late 1970s Anders had begun to put message buttons on his cardigan, all of which were given to him by adoring fans. Within a few years, most of his cardigan was covered in buttons. Over the years, he collected these buttons, and stored them in a hanger. At the time of his death, Anders had collected over 25,000 buttons from his little guests.
Each year, Anders helped anchor the KPTV local coverage of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon and the Easter Seals Telethon. He also was the in-house studio announcer for KPTV for many years.
In his retirement, Anders enjoyed flying and spending time with his family. Anders built a small airstrip and a log cabin near the community of Buxton in Washington County and called it The Apple Valley Airport.
He died suddenly in May, 2002 at age 69 of a stroke, suffered while making a personal appearance at the grand opening of a Gresham, OR thrift store.
Anders was survived by a wife, Pati, and five children: Stephanie, Vincent, Karla, Robyn, and Dana.
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