Ronald Keith Anderson

Ronald Keith Anderson, age 83, passed away peacefully in his sleep Tuesday, March 18th, 2025.

Ron was born in Duluth, MN and raised in Tracy, MN. He was the oldest of six sons born to Erland and Olive Anderson. Ron held a variety of jobs in Tracy during high school, including print shop worker which meant he was very adept at reading upside down and backwards. As a talented musician, he also had fun performing in Jazz bands and Dixieland bands to earn some spending money. Ron was the Tracy Class of 1959 President, which means he was MC at the reunions and always trying out corny jokes on the family in preparation.

Ron attended Augustana University following high school and earned a bachelor’s degree in Physics and Math in 1963. He followed that with a master’s degree in Physics at the Rapid City School of Mines in 1965, where he also taught undergraduate classes. Ron was an avid spelunker and enjoyed caving and hunting prairie dogs while in the Black Hills.

Ron started as a Physics professor at Bemidji State University in 1965. Soon after arrival, he met Lorraine (Lori) Diedrich, a Biology Masters student at BSU. He was intrigued by the very pretty blonde lady but a bit hesitant about the 6 foot snake she was known to cart around on her shoulders. Luckily the snake wasn’t a huge deterrent and the two married August 27th, 1966.

With a sabbatical leave in 1968, Ron and Lori both set off to the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Oldest daughter, Pamela, was born in 1970 and in 1971 Ron completed his doctorate in Theoretical Nuclear Physics and Lori had started the coursework for her doctorate.

The family of three journeyed back to Bemidji in 1971, with younger daughter, Julie, arriving in 1974. Life in Bemidji was very full with work, church, family and friends. Ron served as the Chairman of the BSU Physics Department for over 25 years. His multi-colored chalkboard diagrams explaining physics problems were described by many students as works of art. Ron received the Distinguished Teaching award in 1997-1998 and was a great influence on many students over his career. Ron was very involved in Calvary Lutheran church, running all of the acoustics, helping wherever needed, singing in the choir, quartets and as a soloist in many weddings. He even played piano accompaniment for his daughters in their years of playing the violin. Ron was also known to issue a spur of the moment invitation to students to join the family for dinner. Lori managed to roll with it and there was always plenty of food to share. Ron always wanted to make sure that everyone got enough to eat, and was known to push that second helping on unsuspecting guests by joking, “What, you don’t like my wife’s cooking?” Ron and Lori also bought land and built a cabin nearby on Cass Lake that became a wonderful family retreat and Ron’s “Happy Place.”

Ron took an early retirement in 2000 and relocated to Cottage Grove, where Lori was working after going back to school to finish her PhD. He said he was ”Chief Sawdust Producer” as he spent a lot of time woodworking and making beautiful cabinets and furniture. With Pam and Julie and their families also living in Cottage Grove, Ron and Lori both delighted in spoiling the grandkids, Alexis, Tianna, Teagan and Justin. Ron and Lori, a.k.a. Pa and Amma, were very involved in all of the grandkids activities, making every gymnastics meet and soccer game as well as nearly all of the practices. Time at Amma and Pa’s house was always special and filled with love and of course food. Somehow Ron seemed to frequently “forget” that it was almost dinner time before handing out the snacks! Just a few weeks ago, Ron was absolutely delighted to meet, hold and show off his great-grandson Waylon Sorli, who was born Feb 26th, 2025.

Always the gentleman, Ron always tried to put those around him at ease. Even when he was having a harder time getting around, he was always volunteering to help others. While in the hospital he would be concerned that any of us visiting him had something to eat, always offering to order something for us or to share his own meal. That deep caring for others was so typical of Ron. We are blessed that we have so many wonderful stories and memories of his warmth, generosity and love.

Ron is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Lori Anderson; daughter Pam (Mike) Edison and grand-daughters Alexis (Will) Sorli and Tianna Edison and great-grandson Waylon Sorli and wonderful step-great grandchildren Carter and Chloe Sorli; daughter Julie (Jim) Reindl and grand daughter Teagan Reindl and grandson Justin Reindl; brothers Clyde (Linda) Anderson; Wayne (Janice) Anderson; Lyle Anderson and Dean (Becky) Anderson and numerous relatives and dear friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Erland and Olive Anderson, brother Glen Anderson and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

While we are missing Ron dearly, we take comfort in knowing he is reunited with loved ones in Heaven and is likely making sure they are all comfortable, aren’t hungry and entertaining them with “dad jokes” or music. We know he is watching over us all and always listening and there to lend us strength when needed. Ron was one of a kind.

Please join us in celebrating Ron’s life on Monday, March 24th at Joy Lutheran Church (1435 St. Croix St) in Prescott, Wisconsin. Ron and Lori have been members of Joy Lutheran for several years and have taken great joy in the friends and community they have found in the congregation there. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11AM followed by a service at 11AM. Lunch reception immediately following and a graveside blessing at 1:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Tunnel to Towers and St Jude's Children's Hospital.