Robert LaZelle Anderson
Priesthood office of Seventy, Community of Christ, Retired
P.A.N. – Positive, Affirmative, Nurturing
Bob Anderson genuinely cared about people. In 2007, he wrote a personal mission statement in which he proclaimed, "Each day I will seek to positively impact another's life." Bob even created an acronym – P.A.N.– to guide his daily interactions with others. Regardless of whether he was talking with a colleague, the cashier in the checkout line, or a stranger on the elevator, Bob would envision a large iron skillet and seamlessly weave P.A.N. into the conversation. The ability to uplift others, see the best in people, and offer a kind word were just a few of Bob's many God-given talents. P.A.N. was both his nature and his mission.
Rev. Robert L. Anderson answered the Lord's call to return to His eternal home on April 18, 2022. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 29, 1932. He died peacefully in his home on April 18, 2022, surrounded by loved ones.
Rev. Anderson accepted full-time Appointment with Community of Christ in 1964. His greatest joy was sharing his testimony of the love of the Lord Jesus Christ in his life. He was a dynamic preacher, a strategic planner, a gifted organizer, and an enthusiastic educator.
Rev. Anderson developed and coordinated programs of outreach, leadership development, and ministry in fifty-eight congregations throughout the western part of the United States and Canada, including the establishment of five new congregations.
He developed and taught over three hundred highly rated workshops, covering topics such as church planting, outreach ministry, leadership development, small group ministry, communication skills, preaching, and worship planning.
Rev. Anderson was also instrumental in establishing the Youth Venture for Christ program, as well as the personal witnessing support program PRIDE (Personal Responsibility in Daily Evangelism) that later served as a model for world church programs.
Prior to his full-time ministry, Rev. Anderson worked in sales and managerial capacities for several food manufacturing and distributing companies (1956-1964). He proudly served his country during the Korean War from September 1950 to June 1952 as a Combat Infantry Squad Leader, US Army, Rank of Sergeant.
His accomplishments include an MA in Counseling from Lewis and Clark College (1976); MA in Religious Theory and Practice from the School of the Restoration (1970); BA in Business Administration from San Jose State University (1956); AA in General Studies from Graceland University (1954); Graduate of Van Nuys High School (1952); Eagle Scout.
In 2015, Rev. Anderson published, My Journey: Stories from a Blessed Man, under the name Bob Anderson. It recounts a lifetime of his personal testimony that is alive and vibrant, thought-provoking, and insightful, warm-hearted, and good-natured. In the prologue, he writes, ". . . it is important for me to convey that the blessings I have received are not because of my nature, but because of God's nature."
Rev. Anderson, better known as Dad and Grandpa in some circles, rejoiced in spending time with his family and was devoted to developing positive, affirmative, and nurturing relationships with each of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Rev. Anderson was laid to rest in Santa Barbara, California, next to his beloved wife and steadfast life partner, Betty Anne Ward Anderson at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Drive, Santa Barbara.
Rev. Anderson is survived by his four children – Claudia Anne Anderson, Robert Briggs Anderson, Lawrence LaZelle Anderson, and Mary Elizabeth Anderson; his four grandchildren – Robert Chester Anderson, Carmen Anderson Spear, Katarina "Maxi" Maksimovic-Vukelja Anderson, and Boris Vukelja Anderson, plus his four great grandchildren.
Priesthood office of Seventy, Community of Christ, Retired
P.A.N. – Positive, Affirmative, Nurturing
Bob Anderson genuinely cared about people. In 2007, he wrote a personal mission statement in which he proclaimed, "Each day I will seek to positively impact another's life." Bob even created an acronym – P.A.N.– to guide his daily interactions with others. Regardless of whether he was talking with a colleague, the cashier in the checkout line, or a stranger on the elevator, Bob would envision a large iron skillet and seamlessly weave P.A.N. into the conversation. The ability to uplift others, see the best in people, and offer a kind word were just a few of Bob's many God-given talents. P.A.N. was both his nature and his mission.
Rev. Robert L. Anderson answered the Lord's call to return to His eternal home on April 18, 2022. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 29, 1932. He died peacefully in his home on April 18, 2022, surrounded by loved ones.
Rev. Anderson accepted full-time Appointment with Community of Christ in 1964. His greatest joy was sharing his testimony of the love of the Lord Jesus Christ in his life. He was a dynamic preacher, a strategic planner, a gifted organizer, and an enthusiastic educator.
Rev. Anderson developed and coordinated programs of outreach, leadership development, and ministry in fifty-eight congregations throughout the western part of the United States and Canada, including the establishment of five new congregations.
He developed and taught over three hundred highly rated workshops, covering topics such as church planting, outreach ministry, leadership development, small group ministry, communication skills, preaching, and worship planning.
Rev. Anderson was also instrumental in establishing the Youth Venture for Christ program, as well as the personal witnessing support program PRIDE (Personal Responsibility in Daily Evangelism) that later served as a model for world church programs.
Prior to his full-time ministry, Rev. Anderson worked in sales and managerial capacities for several food manufacturing and distributing companies (1956-1964). He proudly served his country during the Korean War from September 1950 to June 1952 as a Combat Infantry Squad Leader, US Army, Rank of Sergeant.
His accomplishments include an MA in Counseling from Lewis and Clark College (1976); MA in Religious Theory and Practice from the School of the Restoration (1970); BA in Business Administration from San Jose State University (1956); AA in General Studies from Graceland University (1954); Graduate of Van Nuys High School (1952); Eagle Scout.
In 2015, Rev. Anderson published, My Journey: Stories from a Blessed Man, under the name Bob Anderson. It recounts a lifetime of his personal testimony that is alive and vibrant, thought-provoking, and insightful, warm-hearted, and good-natured. In the prologue, he writes, ". . . it is important for me to convey that the blessings I have received are not because of my nature, but because of God's nature."
Rev. Anderson, better known as Dad and Grandpa in some circles, rejoiced in spending time with his family and was devoted to developing positive, affirmative, and nurturing relationships with each of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Rev. Anderson was laid to rest in Santa Barbara, California, next to his beloved wife and steadfast life partner, Betty Anne Ward Anderson at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Drive, Santa Barbara.
Rev. Anderson is survived by his four children – Claudia Anne Anderson, Robert Briggs Anderson, Lawrence LaZelle Anderson, and Mary Elizabeth Anderson; his four grandchildren – Robert Chester Anderson, Carmen Anderson Spear, Katarina "Maxi" Maksimovic-Vukelja Anderson, and Boris Vukelja Anderson, plus his four great grandchildren.
Robert LaZelle Anderson
Priesthood office of Seventy, Community of Christ, Retired
P.A.N. – Positive, Affirmative, Nurturing
Bob Anderson genuinely cared about people. In 2007, he wrote a personal mission statement in which he proclaimed, "Each day I will seek to positively impact another's life." Bob even created an acronym – P.A.N.– to guide his daily interactions with others. Regardless of whether he was talking with a colleague, the cashier in the checkout line, or a stranger on the elevator, Bob would envision a large iron skillet and seamlessly weave P.A.N. into the conversation. The ability to uplift others, see the best in people, and offer a kind word were just a few of Bob's many God-given talents. P.A.N. was both his nature and his mission.
Rev. Robert L. Anderson answered the Lord's call to return to His eternal home on April 18, 2022. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 29, 1932. He died peacefully in his home on April 18, 2022, surrounded by loved ones.
Rev. Anderson accepted full-time Appointment with Community of Christ in 1964. His greatest joy was sharing his testimony of the love of the Lord Jesus Christ in his life. He was a dynamic preacher, a strategic planner, a gifted organizer, and an enthusiastic educator.
Rev. Anderson developed and coordinated programs of outreach, leadership development, and ministry in fifty-eight congregations throughout the western part of the United States and Canada, including the establishment of five new congregations.
He developed and taught over three hundred highly rated workshops, covering topics such as church planting, outreach ministry, leadership development, small group ministry, communication skills, preaching, and worship planning.
Rev. Anderson was also instrumental in establishing the Youth Venture for Christ program, as well as the personal witnessing support program PRIDE (Personal Responsibility in Daily Evangelism) that later served as a model for world church programs.
Prior to his full-time ministry, Rev. Anderson worked in sales and managerial capacities for several food manufacturing and distributing companies (1956-1964). He proudly served his country during the Korean War from September 1950 to June 1952 as a Combat Infantry Squad Leader, US Army, Rank of Sergeant.
His accomplishments include an MA in Counseling from Lewis and Clark College (1976); MA in Religious Theory and Practice from the School of the Restoration (1970); BA in Business Administration from San Jose State University (1956); AA in General Studies from Graceland University (1954); Graduate of Van Nuys High School (1952); Eagle Scout.
In 2015, Rev. Anderson published, My Journey: Stories from a Blessed Man, under the name Bob Anderson. It recounts a lifetime of his personal testimony that is alive and vibrant, thought-provoking, and insightful, warm-hearted, and good-natured. In the prologue, he writes, ". . . it is important for me to convey that the blessings I have received are not because of my nature, but because of God's nature."
Rev. Anderson, better known as Dad and Grandpa in some circles, rejoiced in spending time with his family and was devoted to developing positive, affirmative, and nurturing relationships with each of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Rev. Anderson was laid to rest in Santa Barbara, California, next to his beloved wife and steadfast life partner, Betty Anne Ward Anderson at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Drive, Santa Barbara.
Rev. Anderson is survived by his four children – Claudia Anne Anderson, Robert Briggs Anderson, Lawrence LaZelle Anderson, and Mary Elizabeth Anderson; his four grandchildren – Robert Chester Anderson, Carmen Anderson Spear, Katarina "Maxi" Maksimovic-Vukelja Anderson, and Boris Vukelja Anderson, plus his four great grandchildren.
Priesthood office of Seventy, Community of Christ, Retired
P.A.N. – Positive, Affirmative, Nurturing
Bob Anderson genuinely cared about people. In 2007, he wrote a personal mission statement in which he proclaimed, "Each day I will seek to positively impact another's life." Bob even created an acronym – P.A.N.– to guide his daily interactions with others. Regardless of whether he was talking with a colleague, the cashier in the checkout line, or a stranger on the elevator, Bob would envision a large iron skillet and seamlessly weave P.A.N. into the conversation. The ability to uplift others, see the best in people, and offer a kind word were just a few of Bob's many God-given talents. P.A.N. was both his nature and his mission.
Rev. Robert L. Anderson answered the Lord's call to return to His eternal home on April 18, 2022. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 29, 1932. He died peacefully in his home on April 18, 2022, surrounded by loved ones.
Rev. Anderson accepted full-time Appointment with Community of Christ in 1964. His greatest joy was sharing his testimony of the love of the Lord Jesus Christ in his life. He was a dynamic preacher, a strategic planner, a gifted organizer, and an enthusiastic educator.
Rev. Anderson developed and coordinated programs of outreach, leadership development, and ministry in fifty-eight congregations throughout the western part of the United States and Canada, including the establishment of five new congregations.
He developed and taught over three hundred highly rated workshops, covering topics such as church planting, outreach ministry, leadership development, small group ministry, communication skills, preaching, and worship planning.
Rev. Anderson was also instrumental in establishing the Youth Venture for Christ program, as well as the personal witnessing support program PRIDE (Personal Responsibility in Daily Evangelism) that later served as a model for world church programs.
Prior to his full-time ministry, Rev. Anderson worked in sales and managerial capacities for several food manufacturing and distributing companies (1956-1964). He proudly served his country during the Korean War from September 1950 to June 1952 as a Combat Infantry Squad Leader, US Army, Rank of Sergeant.
His accomplishments include an MA in Counseling from Lewis and Clark College (1976); MA in Religious Theory and Practice from the School of the Restoration (1970); BA in Business Administration from San Jose State University (1956); AA in General Studies from Graceland University (1954); Graduate of Van Nuys High School (1952); Eagle Scout.
In 2015, Rev. Anderson published, My Journey: Stories from a Blessed Man, under the name Bob Anderson. It recounts a lifetime of his personal testimony that is alive and vibrant, thought-provoking, and insightful, warm-hearted, and good-natured. In the prologue, he writes, ". . . it is important for me to convey that the blessings I have received are not because of my nature, but because of God's nature."
Rev. Anderson, better known as Dad and Grandpa in some circles, rejoiced in spending time with his family and was devoted to developing positive, affirmative, and nurturing relationships with each of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Rev. Anderson was laid to rest in Santa Barbara, California, next to his beloved wife and steadfast life partner, Betty Anne Ward Anderson at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Drive, Santa Barbara.
Rev. Anderson is survived by his four children – Claudia Anne Anderson, Robert Briggs Anderson, Lawrence LaZelle Anderson, and Mary Elizabeth Anderson; his four grandchildren – Robert Chester Anderson, Carmen Anderson Spear, Katarina "Maxi" Maksimovic-Vukelja Anderson, and Boris Vukelja Anderson, plus his four great grandchildren.
Inscription
LOVING HUSBAND, FATHER, GRANDFATHER, GREAT-GRANDFATHER, MINISTER
HE MADE A DIFFERENCE
POSITIVE ● AFFIRMATIVE ● NURTURING
