Robert "Bob" Anderson, age 89, of Detroit Lakes, MN, formerly of Mahnomen, MN, died Wednesday, July 22, 2015, at Ecumen Detroit Lakes in Detroit Lakes, MN, under Hospice Care of the Red River Valley.

Robert Curtis Anderson, the youngest son of Oscar and Irene (Johnson) Anderson, was born on February 18, 1926, in Minnewaukan, ND.  At the young age of nine, his family moved to the Mahnomen, MN, area.  He attended country school and graduated in 1942 from the NW School of Agriculture in Crookston, MN.  Duty called and in February of 1944, Bob enlisted in the US Navy.  Following an honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to Minnesota.  On April 18, 1948, Robert was united in marriage to Sylvia Kjos at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mahnomen.  The couple made their home in the Mahnomen community for most of their lives and were blessed with three daughters.  They spent a majority of those years living west of town on the Anderson Family Farm before moving into Mahnomen.  A few years ago, Sylvia and Bob moved to Twin Valley, MN, and shortly thereafter, The Madison in Detroit Lakes, enjoying 66 years together.  Sylvia passed away in May of 2014 and Bob remained in their apartment until last month when he entered the nursing home.  Their family would like to thank The Madison Assisted Living for taking such good care of both Sylvia and Bob.

Over the years, Bob tried his hand at different jobs including farming and construction.  However, the job he most enjoyed was operating his spray plane.  While working construction in South Dakota, as a more economical way of transportation back to Mahnomen, Bob and his brother purchased a plane for $800 and became self-taught pilots.  In the 1980's, for health reasons, Bob was forced to retire after many years of aerial spraying.  He then went to work for Winter Truckline as their bookkeeper for a number of years. Bob and Sylvia loved to travel and the couple spent 14 winters in Lake Havasu, AZ.  They often traveled around the United States visiting friends and sightseeing.  Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing and playing cards and was known to frequent the Red Apple for coffee.

Robert is survived by his two daughters, Barbara (Ronald) Pishtek, of Brocket, ND, and Betty (Wayne) Paul, of Mahnomen; and two granddaughters, Amy Paul, of Plymouth, MN, and Rachael Pishtek, of Fargo, ND; three sisters-in-law: Jan Anderson of Texas, Avis Kjos of Mahnomen and Lois Nelson of OskKosh, WI; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia; his parents; one daughter, Sharon; two grandchildren, Wade Michael Paul and Amanda Beth Paul; one brother, Harold "Huntz" Anderson and two brothers-in-law, Harold Kjos and Douglas Nelson.

A Memorial Service was held on Monday, July 27, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen, MN.  Time of gathering was one hour prior to the service. Inurnment was held at Riverside Memorial Park, Mahnomen.