Paul David Anderson

Paul Anderson, 83, of South Haven died Thursday, March 3, 2011 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.

He was born August 30, 1927 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Minnie (Caspers) and Carl J. Anderson. A native of Grand Rapids, he graduated from the University of Michigan as did 20 in his family. At 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was later a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Paul was a marketing Vice President at the Enterprise Companies, a Valspar Subsidiary in Wheeling, Illinois for 13 of his 22 years in its employ. He started Paul Anderson and Associates, a marketing company in 1981 where he served as President and later Chairman for 21 years until retiring in 1997.

In 1982, Paul co-founded a Big Brothers/Big Sisters Agency in Waukegan and served on its board for five years. In 1987, he co-founded the Children’s Advocacy Center in Waukegan and was its Vice President for 3 years. The center serves the legal and emotional needs of about 400 sexually abused and neglected children every year in Lake County.

Paul said, “My efforts with children’s groups were directed at breaking the abuse and poverty cycle. Abused children become abusers and most children in poverty stay in poverty the rest of their lives. By protecting and educating children, they become working contributing adults, as do the generations that follow them. This translates into thousands of people over the years. There is no more exhilarating experience than helping kids prepare for a happier, productive life.”

Paul was a prostate cancer survivor since 1986. In the later years of his life, Paul was active in “Us TOO”, a national prostate cancer survivors self-help organization. He counseled survivors on a daily basis and gave speeches around the country to prostate cancer victims on how to prolong their lives with herbal and nutritional approaches. In 1999, Paul founded Roots & Sprouts Health Products in Hinsdale, a company that distributes Chinese herbal supplements and other health enhancing products that successfully fight prostate cancer. In 2002, he founded Anderson Nutriments in LaGrange, a company engaged in a similar business.

He is survived by his wife – Judith of South Haven, Michigan. Daughter – Abigail (Robert) Gage of Barrington, IL. Two sons – Carl (Dana McGrath) of West Dundee, IL., and Peter (Cassandra) of Delano, MN. Six grandchildren – Gregory Anderson, Erin Anderson, Emily Anderson, John Gage, Lauren Gage, Will Anderson. Step-Children – Jill (Greg Keb) Ovnik and Gary Wilmes. Three step-grandchildren – John, Jackson and Jolie Ovnik.

Memorial services will be Friday, March 11 at Church of the Epiphany Episcopal Church, 410 Erie Street, South Haven, Michigan at 11:00 A.M. with The Rev. Michael Ryan officiating. . A luncheon will follow the service at South Haven Yacht Club, 401 Williams Street, South Haven, Michigan. Burial will take place at Bronswood Cemetery in Oak Brook, Illinois. Memorial contributions can be made to Us TOO, 5003 Fairview Avenue, Downers Grove, Illinois. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.

The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven 637-0333.