Albert Earl Anderson

Moses Lake resident Albert Earl Anderson passed away Sunday, May 17, 2009, from complications associated with mesotheliomic cancer. He was 60 years old.

Born on March 13, 1949, in Spokane, Albert’s formative years were spent in Rosalia, Wash., where he lived until moving with his family to Warden, when he was 15. He graduated from Warden High School in 1967. Albert married Mary Williams on Aug. 2, 1969, and while later divorced, they remained friends throughout his life. A 1971 graduate of Washington State University, Albert earned a Bachelor of Science degree in communications. While at the university, he was editor for Farm Facts, a radio program on KWSU.

Stationed at Alconbury Air Force Base, England from 1973-1976, Albert flew F-4 reconnaissance jets for the Air Force. After leaving the Air Force, Albert returned to the Columbia Basin, eventually managing Columbia Producers for several years. In 1994 Albert earned a masters degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and joined the Port of Moses Lake the same year. As the port’s Industrial Development Manager and a board member of the Grant County Economic Development Council, Albert worked on many issues including Genie Industries’ move to Moses Lake and the Northern Columbia Basin Railroad Project.

Albert was many things and was especially devoted to his family and friends. He was an Eagle Scout, pilot, photographer, Bloomsday runner, HAM radio operator, Jeep Rubicon Trail adventurer, lifelong camper and erstwhile camp chef, originator of The Great Lind Coulee Experimental Raft Race, and long-suffering Cougar fan. He never lost his love of flying and any excuse would get him into the air. His quiet philanthropy helped many people.

Albert’s wonderful sense of humor and gentle humility will ?be missed by his loving family and many, many friends. He is ?survived by sons David of Seattle, WA and Keith of Browns Point, Wash.; sisters Phyllis Suksdorf of Pasco, Wash., and Marsha Schlangen of Spokane, Wash.; daughter-in-law Meilee and two grandchildren Antonio Azabache and Kathrine Marie Anderson, all of Browns Point. He was preceded in death by his parents Gilman and Earlene and his brother Leslie, who died in childhood.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Albert Anderson will be held at 1:30 p.m., May 29 at Benson Funeral Home, Fifth and Division, Moses Lake. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University, P.O. Box 642520, Pullman, WA 99164.