Kenneth Harvey Anderson

Kenneth Harvey Anderson passed away and entered the “Church Triumphant” on January 8, 2018. He had been a resident of Carolina Village in Hendersonville, North Carolina since November, 1999.

Anderson was born in Superior, Wisconsin, on November 18, 1917 to Elmer and Pearl Hagan Anderson. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Jane Best Anderson; daughter, Carol Rothenberg of Altamont, New York; son, Richard Anderson of Nevada City, California; grandson, Leon Rothenberg and wife, Jenny Slattery, both of Los Angeles, California; and his brother, Frank Anderson of Bradenton, Florida.

Ken Anderson attended Superior Teacher’s College in Superior, Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He was employed as a Research and Development chemist for Union Carbide in South Charleston, West Virginia and later had a second career with the New York Life Insurance Company earning the professional designations of CLU and ChFC.

Ken and Jane met at a young adult fellowship group at the First Presbyterian Church in Charleston, West Virginia and were married on October 25, 1944. Together they taught an elementary-level Sunday School class at First Presbyterian for twenty years. Anderson also served as an usher, young adult leader, Deacon, Elder, Clerk of the Session and member of the Men of the Church. For the Presbytery at the state level he served one term as vice moderator as well as on many other committees.

Ken was a leader in many community, professional and civic groups including Toastmasters and Read Aloud. He was a member of Civitans for forty years and served twice as Kanawha County chapter president. For twenty-five years he was active in the Boy Scouts of America, earning the Silver Beaver award—Scouting’s highest honor for an adult leader.

Ken was an avid naturalist. His interest in ornithology, botany, and horticulture was expressed in active membership in the Brooks Bird Club, Native Plant Society and other organizations. He completed the Master Gardener courses in West Virginia and North Carolina and served as the Chairman of the Landscape Advisory Committee at Carolina Village for twelve years. He also contributed many volunteer hours at the Bullington Gardens Center. At age 95, knee problems forced him to curtail his gardening activities but he remained ever engaged in accordance with his motto: “Keeping moving is what keeps me moving.”

A Memorial service will be held at 1:30pm Friday, January 12th at Carolina Village.

Memorial contributions may be made to, Carolina Village Scholarship Fund, Attn: Business Office, 600 Carolina Village Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792 or Bullington Gardens, 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville, NC 28792.