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Robert F. Anderson August 22, 1922 - February 4, 2014

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Advertising executive Robert F. Anderson died February 4, 2014, in Newport Beach, California. He was 91. Born in Evanston, Illinois, to Morna Catherine Byrne and Raymond Anderson, he lived in Chicago and showed athletic ability at an early age in speed skating, track, football and baseball.

Bob received an athletic scholarship to De Paul University but, after one semester, World War II broke out. He joined the Marine Corp and was sent to Lake Forest College and then to Denison University in Ohio where he pledged Sigma Chi fraternity. From there he finished boot camp and was sent to Camp Pendleton, California, then on to the South Pacific.

When the war was over he returned to California and took classes in radio on the Gl Bill. During the Korean conflict he was involved in public relations and Armed Forces communications. Toys for Tots was one of the programs he worked on.

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NBC hired him as a page boy, and he did a little acting and modeling, and then started his own production company. Eventually he opened his own advertising agency, The Robert F. Anderson Company, with offices in Hollywood.

The Southern California Broadcasters Association named Bob recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994, the third such award given in the 58-year history of SCBA. He had a reputation of helping young people find jobs in the advertising field.

He met Ann Slater, who was working in publicity at NBC, and they married on January 29, 1954. They lived in the Hollywood Hills - in Laurel Canyon and the Outpost Estates - and when they had three children who were ready to begin school they moved to Studio City where they lived for 16 years.

Bob continued in the advertising business and ran his own agency, until he joined the Southern California Chevrolet Dealers’ Association as Manager and moved his office to Burbank.

In 1977, the family moved to Corona del Mar where they had spent their vacations for many years and so Bob could swim in Balboa bay whenever he wanted. He kept up that commute for 20 years. When he retired he became a consultant to Connell Chevrolet of Costa Mesa.

Bob is survived by his beautiful bride of 60 years, Ann, and their children: Nick (Kathy) of Costa Mesa, Paige and Kyle of Corona del Mar and grandchildren Slater and Breeann. His many friends, and a large group of family members, will dearly miss him.

A memorial celebration will be held February, 15, 2014 at the Newport Beach Yacht Club from noon until 4:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations made in his name to Share Our Selves (SOS), 1550 Superior Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92627, will be welcomed and appreciated.

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