Richard A. Anderson

Richard A. Anderson, 74, of Brightwood, died Friday, May 14, 2010 in Union Hospital at Dover following a short illness.A son of the late Samuel and Dorothy (Moffitt) Anderson, Rich was born July 10, 1935 at Dover, Ohio.Rich was a 1954 graduate of New Philadelphia High School. On January 22, 1956, he married the former Marlene Wright in Emmanuel Lutheran Church at New Philadelphia. The couple raised two daughters, Debbie and Karen.Rich was an electrical contractor by trade and was the longtime owner and operator of Anderson Electric. He retired in 1997 after 37 years of service.He was a lifetime member of the Newcomerstown Elks Lodge #1555. Rich enjoyed traveling with Marlene and was fond of his 1951 Ford Custom.Rich is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marlene Anderson of the home; his daughters, Debbie (Tom) Brown of Sugarcreek and Karen Vance of Dover; four grandchildren, Stephanie Vance, Matthew Vance and Amy (Tim) Gerber all of New Philadelphia and Jennifer (David) Yoder of Sugarcreek; five great grandchildren, Madison and Jordyn Vance, Cory and Kayla Gerber and Kyle Yoder; a sister, Cynthia Kester of Solon, Ohio; a sister-in-law, Helen (Bud) Lahmers of Dover and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents and a great grandson, Logan Broome.The family will receive friends on Monday, May 17, 2010 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Rich’s life will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home with Rev. Ellen Mills officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia. Following the committal service, a memorial reception will be held in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia.Contributions may be made in Rich’s memory to a charity of one’s choice.