Rodney C. Anderson

Rodney Charles Anderson, 76, passed away from a stroke in Maui Memorial Hospital, Maui, Hawaii, on March 30, 2023. He was born on October 6, 1946, in Georgetown, Illinois, and grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana. He graduated from Ball State University in 1968 and obtained his Masters Degree from Western Michigan University in 1971. He taught Vocational Auto Mechanics at Maconaquah Public Schools in Indiana. He moved to Gaylord, Michigan, in 1971 where he continued his teaching career at Gaylord Community Schools for 25 years. Rodney made a positive impact on many students who went on to pursue careers in the automotive field.

During his time at Gaylord Community Schools, he served as President and Chief Negotiator for Gaylord Education Association. He was a long-time member of First Congregational Church UCC where he served as Treasurer and worked on many additional committees within the church.

Rodney was a talented mechanic and builder. He could fix almost anything needing repair. He built their home and also his son Eric’s home. He enjoyed cooking and made many great meals for his family and friends. He was considered the Grill Master.

Rodney spent many happy times hunting at the “Sweet Spot” in Cheboygan County and at Kenneth Camp in the Upper Peninsula. Kenneth Camp was one of Rod’s favorite places. He loved his annual fishing trip to Watersmeet, MI, where he enjoyed the company of family and friends. Additionally, Rodney and his family attended the Indy 500, a family tradition for many years.

Rodney married the love of his life, Sallie, in 1967. They were married for 55 years. Rod and Sallie enjoyed traveling. They spent winter vacations in Maui, Hawaii, for the last 16 years. They also made trips to Alaska, Canada, and Europe.

Rod’s greatest love was his family. He especially enjoyed attending the sporting events of his sons and grandchildren.

Rodney is survived by his wife, Sallie (Wasson) Anderson; son, Eric Kenneth Anderson, daughter-in-law, Meredith (Johnston) Anderson, and grandchildren, Ryan Robert Anderson and Alaina Lynn Anderson, Frederic, MI; son, Jay Charles Anderson, Gaylord, MI; brothers-in-law and sisters- in-law, Robert and Sarah Wasson, Indianapolis, IN, and William and Judy Wasson, Thomaston, ME; his sister and brother-in-law, Lisa and Zack Goetz, Salem, IN.

He was preceded in death by his father, Leonard Anderson; his mother, Catherine Dwyer; his aunt and uncle, Betty and Loren Robison; and his in-laws, Kenneth and Mildred Wasson.

Rodney will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

A celebration of Rod’s life will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the First Congregational Church UCC in Gaylord, MI, where the family will visit with friends beginning at 9:30 AM.   The service will be available to attend via livestream at www.facebook.com/firstuccgaylord.  Those who wish are asked to consider Memorial Contributions to the First Congregational Church UCC Memorial Fund. Donations may be mailed to 218 W. Second Street, Gaylord, MI  49735.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com/obituaries/rodney-anderson