Gordon Lawrence Andersen

05/23/1934 — 02/23/2013

From Richland, WA, US | Born in Yankton, SD

Gordon Lawrence Andersen

Gordon L. Andersen passed away on February 23, 2013 at the age of 78. Gordy, as he was known by most, was born in Yankton, South Dakota on May 23, 1934 to Clarence and Mary Andersen. Clarence moved the family from Yankton to Richland in 1943 to take a job at Hanford as a Procurement Specialist.

Gordon attended Richland High School where he was a standout athlete lettering in both basketball and track. After graduation, Gordon served in the US Army as a Military Policeman, receiving awards for pistol and rifle marksmanship. After an Honorable Discharge, Gordon went to work at Hanford for General Electric as a Radiation Monitor. In 1965, Gordon transferred to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory where he remained until his retirement in 1994.

Gordon had one child, a son. Gordon raised his son from an early age. The two of them spent untold days together hunting Native American artifacts, fishing the Columbia River, and traveling the Pacific Northwest. Gordon was an avid gardener with a particular fondness for roses, winning numerous awards in local and regional shows. Gordon and his wife enjoyed fishing, going to yard sales, and making numerous road trips to casinos, not to mention the nearly daily trips to Costco!

Gordon was well known and loved by everyone who knew him. Friends described Gordy as the most giving person they had ever met. He was known for having a trunk full of farm fresh produce that he would give away to friends and acquaintances. Gordon would routinely take holiday dinners to people he knew were alone or could not provide for themselves.

Gordon was preceded in death by his father Clarence, mother Mary, sister Mary Kae Dewey-Enger, and brother Jim.

He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Barbara, son and daughter-in-law Cameron and Becky, two grandkids Amanda and Tyler, step children Christy Harthun, Mike Kunkler, and Catherine Kunkler and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, March 1st at 11:00 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Richland VFW. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice at the Chaplaincy or the VFW.

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Gordon Lawrence Andersen

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  • Sorry to here about Gordon I new him from two bits and a bite

    David Hughes
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, USA
  • I was part of the Hanford environmental monitoring supervisory team in the late 1960s and early 1970s and so much appreciated working with Gordy and the rest of the team. Gordy was full of life and a joy to share experiences in the Hanford environs, especially for me as a scientist and health physicist normally behind the desk.

    Dale Denham
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA
  • May God Bless you and be with you as you remember Gordon, I spent many hours working with Gordon at Hanford, Those years in 324 building and others as well. He was a great guy to work with and always enjoyed those times. May you all be blessed.

    Mike Tesky

    Mike Tesky
    November 4, 2014
    Kennewick, WA
  • We knew Gordon as the father, father-in-law, and grandfather of our very good friends Cameron, Becky, Amanda, and Tyler Andersen. Gordon was a busy guy, always with a project underway or interacting with the community, always in a generous fashion. We’re sure he has a new project underway already in his new and better place.

    Jim and Denise Buelt
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, USA
  • I have very fond memories of Gordon. He was my dad’s best friend Wayne Callies. The two of them were always up to something that they never let anyone in on until the deed was done. My mom still has 2 huge rocks in her yard that the two of them brought home one day. Still not sure how they moved them there, there were there when I woke up one morning.

    He always remembered me when he would spot me out and about and always made a point to say hello. He would ask about my mom and my husband, who also worked at Battelle. He is included in my childhood memories. I’ll never forget. So sorry.

    Karen Rheinschmidt
    November 4, 2014
    WA
  • Cameron, Becky, and Kids,

    Our condolences on the loss of Cam’s dad. Although I didn’t know him, he raised a fine son who carries on the Anderson legacy in his own lovely family. May your hearts find comfort in gentle memories.

    The Kincaid

    Mary Kincaid
    November 4, 2014
    Pasco, WA
  • Sorry to here about Gordon I new him from two bits and a bite

    David Hughes
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, USA
  • I was part of the Hanford environmental monitoring supervisory team in the late 1960s and early 1970s and so much appreciated working with Gordy and the rest of the team. Gordy was full of life and a joy to share experiences in the Hanford environs, especially for me as a scientist and health physicist normally behind the desk.

    Dale Denham
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA
  • May God Bless you and be with you as you remember Gordon, I spent many hours working with Gordon at Hanford, Those years in 324 building and others as well. He was a great guy to work with and always enjoyed those times. May you all be blessed.

    Mike Tesky

    Mike Tesky
    November 4, 2014
    Kennewick, WA
  • We knew Gordon as the father, father-in-law, and grandfather of our very good friends Cameron, Becky, Amanda, and Tyler Andersen. Gordon was a busy guy, always with a project underway or interacting with the community, always in a generous fashion. We’re sure he has a new project underway already in his new and better place.

    Jim and Denise Buelt
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, USA
  • I have very fond memories of Gordon. He was my dad’s best friend Wayne Callies. The two of them were always up to something that they never let anyone in on until the deed was done. My mom still has 2 huge rocks in her yard that the two of them brought home one day. Still not sure how they moved them there, there were there when I woke up one morning.

    He always remembered me when he would spot me out and about and always made a point to say hello. He would ask about my mom and my husband, who also worked at Battelle. He is included in my childhood memories. I’ll never forget. So sorry.

    Karen Rheinschmidt
    November 4, 2014
    WA
  • Cameron, Becky, and Kids,

    Our condolences on the loss of Cam’s dad. Although I didn’t know him, he raised a fine son who carries on the Anderson legacy in his own lovely family. May your hearts find comfort in gentle memories.

    The Kincaid

    Mary Kincaid
    November 4, 2014
    Pasco, WA
  • I’ve known Gordy for about 60 years.

    Gordy was a very giving man. I can

    remember watching him play basketball for

    the bombers when I was in grade school. I would like to have a dollar for every laugh I got from the Andersen family. I will miss him. Jack Gardiner

    Jack Gardiner
    November 4, 2014
    richland, WA, usa
  • Gordy and Barbara lived across from my parents for years and my husband and I got to know them. When my dad developed Parkinson’s Gordy and Barbara were such good friends, bringing produce and good conversation. My brothers enjoyed talking to them when they came for visits. Without Gordy watching the house and keeping me up on what was happening, there would have been times that would have caused my mom extra worry since she hated to bother me with “minor” difficulties. I will always be thankful for their caring and help. I can see Dad and Gordy sharing a beer and having a laugh. God bless you Gordy and stay strong Barbara.

    Kim and Doyle Boatman
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, USA
  • Gordy worked on environmental surveillance programs at PNNL for a number of rotations. He brought a smile to work, was an asset to our programs, and was respected by those he worked with. He was up to any task, but seemed to be particularly fond of swimming under the boat to clean out weeds that were stuck in the intake. Gordy was not bashful, and he certainly didn’t need a procedure. Nuff said. He will be missed.

    Ted Poston
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, USA
  • Lived next door to Gordy and Cameron … long time ago. And then across and down the street. Always enjoyed Gordy. Bless his heart … May the Lord Bless and Keep Him Safe.

    Kathie & Jim Adair
    November 4, 2014
    West, Richland, WA, USA
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