Bob Anderson Had a Passion for Serving, Helping Others

I remember interviewing Bob Anderson, at age 90, for one of The Times’ Faces of Hamilton County. He smiles a lot, so he was a good candidate for the Times’ daily feature.

The Noblesville Sunrisers Kiwanis Club founder for most of his years in Sunrisers was always helping his club, especially serving pancake breakfasts. I used to see him at the breakfast that the Kiwanis served each February to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville. He was always smiling.

He told me how the Sunrisers came to be. Years ago, when he had trouble getting to Noblesville Noon Kiwanis Club meetings, he started Noblesville Sunrisers Kiwanis Club, which meets for breakfast.

The club is 46 years old, started in 1976. He has held every office in the club and lieutenant governor twice. And he has helped Sunrisers Kiwanians raise $300,000 for local charities through the years. He was Kiwanis’ Indiana District lieutenant governor twice and helped start the Fishers and Sheridan Kiwanis clubs.

Born Robert “Bob” Earl Anderson on July 2, 1929, in Lafayette, he was a 10-year 4-H’er who was raised on a dairy farm, learning a work ethic that continued throughout his life. He died on Sept. 7, 2022. He was 93. Services are at 11 a.m. today at Noblesville First Christian Church, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m.

Anderson graduated from Klondike High School and Purdue University in West Lafayette. He served in the U.S. Army at Fort Leonardwood, Mo. The retired farmer and his wife, Maurine Stump — his high school sweetheart to whom he married on June 7, 1952, after meeting at a Sunday night church youth group — have three daughters and several grandkids, and they spent their lives serving and helping others. His wife passed away March 26, 2019, at age 82.

He volunteered with the American Red Cross, providing rides to needy patients.

He and his wife served several years for Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County.

The Andersons served First Christian Church in many capacities, including mowing the property for more than 20 years. Maurine taught Women’s Bible study groups for more than 30 years.

And in 2017, his family donated $50,600 to Noblesville Parks Foundation.

He and his wife earned the Kiwanis Sunrisers Club’s Community Service Award in 2017 for their lifetime dedication and service to the Noblesville community. In 2021, Anderson was honored by Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen, who proclaimed Bob Anderson Day as Jan. 19, 2021, with an official proclamation before Anderson went to Florida for warmer weather and to be near his daughter. He and Chuck Crow were the only two charter members of the club. In 2021, Crow was presented a 45-year Legion of Honor certificate from the club.

The community will remember Bob Anderson, who had strong Christian values and work ethics, as a humble soul who spent his life serving and helping others.

Memorial contributions may be made to Kiwanis International and to the Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville.

Contact Betsy Reason at betsy@thetimes24-7.com.