Daniel Neil Anderson

Daniel Neil Anderson died peacefully on June 29, 2009 in Kennewick General Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born on November 7, 1916 in Rockyford, Colorado to Andrew and Matilda Anderson. He lived a long healthy life for 92 years.

He is survived by one son James Daniel Anderson Linda Jean Anderson; five grandchildren Tamara Lyn Anderson John Rembetki, James Ben Daniel Anderson Patricia Annette Anderson, Clinton Gene Anderson, Andrew Neal Anderson Valarie Linn Anderson and Dwayne Alonzo Anderson Maureen Elizabeth Anderson; six great grandchildren Cooper Daniel Anderson, Alexis Linn Anderson, Delaney Pearl Anderson, Dane Andrew Anderson, Hailey J Anderson, Kain Alonzo Anderson. He was superseded in life by his dear wife Pearl Virginia Anderson and his parents Andrew William and Elizabet Matilda Anderson.

Dan was raised mostly in Colorado but was also in Texas when his father worked for a sugar beet factory. He graduated from Englewood High School in Englewood, Colorado. He led a much diversified life in his younger days. He went to flying school in Kansas to become a pilot, he was a miner, a logger, a caddy, he also worked in a musical store and he later became a machinist. As a machinist he was hired by DuPont in Denver, Colorado where he manufactured ammunition for the WWII effort. Later when DuPont became involved in the Manhattan Project he was transferred to Richland in early 1943 when he was 26 years old. As a machinist he made the first fuel elements for the 100 B Reactor located in the Hanford Project. Dan then moved to 100 B Reactor and was there when it went critical. In the transfer to the reactor he became a power operator. He continued as a power operator for the rest of his career at Hanford with the exception as a Supervisor before he retired. As a power operator he moved to several of Hanford Reactors until N Reactor which is the reactor he was working at when he retired. Dan retired when he was 64 after which he worked for a short period of time as a consultant. During his youth he was an avid fisherman and hunter. He spent many years pursuing this interest and he even got a bear. He loved the Seattle Mariners and watched all their games on TV and viewing a few games in Seattle.

He spent the rest of his life in Richland and he lived here for 66 years. He joined the Richland Masonic Lodge and was a member throughout the rest of his life. He was a dedicated family man and loved his family dearly. Pearl was the mainstay in his life and he was very lonely when she passed approximately 7 years prior to Dan's passing. Dan and Pearl were very active in doing crossword puzzles and he was very active at this until his last battle in life. He and Pearl taught their grandchildren how to play Pinochle and they spent many hours playing with them. Dan and Pearl spent many hours babysitting the kids providing them with guidance and counsel they have used later in life. Many fond memories are left with not only his family but with all those who knew him. His actions spoke more of him than his words, even his great grandkids would run up to him and give a high five. While his grandkids were growing up he went to all of their soccer, basketball, baseball and football games. He was very interested in all the things that they did and he always loved to cheer them on.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday morning July 2, 2009 at 11:00am Sunset Memorial Gardens located on the Bypass Highway. Viewing will be at Einan's Funeral Home on July 1, 2009 from 5:00-8:00pm. All those who knew him are invited to come and celebrate his life.