Beloved husband, father, grandfather and World War II veteran Roy Irvin Anderson, 90, died Friday, January 11, 2013 in La Mesa, California. His wife, Virginia Worthington Anderson, preceded him by six weeks. Roy and Virginia met in college and married on January 3, 1948. Their 65-year marriage was a testament to their love and devotion for each other.
The oldest of three sons, Roy was born March 12, 1922 in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to Irvin and Minnie Anderson. Coming from humble roots, Roy worked his way through college, and in 1944 earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin. Later that year, he enlisted in the Army Air Force and became an aerial engineer serving in Europe. After the war, and with the help of the GI Bill, Roy earned a Masters Degree in Engineering from Northwestern University. Following graduate school, Roy was hired by DuPont Industries, where he was a primary researcher on the team that invented Mylar.
Following the sudden loss of his parents in 1959 to an automobile accident, Roy was determined to travel and see the world. In 1962, the Andersons walked away from job and home, and embarked on a year-long world exploration with their three young children. Their travels included seven months in the Indian Ocean island Republic of the Seychelles. Throughout their marriage, Roy and Virginia visited more than fifty countries. Returning from their year abroad in 1963, the Andersons landed in California, where they took up residence. Roy became plant manager of Plastron, a small plastics company he would one day co-own. In 1974, Roy, along with his business partner, Richard Lauer, purchased Plastron from Cutter Laboratories, in one of the first leveraged buy-outs. Plastron became the world's foremost independent supplier of medical tubing, and Roy's engineering skill helped establish several other companies. His work included innovations in outdoor furniture as well as plumbing.
Roy and Virginia Anderson were 40-year residents of Claremont, California, until 2010 when they moved into assisted living in San Diego.
Roy is survived by his brother, Donald Anderson and sister-in-law Jean Anderson of Illinois; sister-in-law Janice Anderson of Arizona; his three children, Dr. Wayne Anderson and wife Jeanine LaFrance of La Mesa, CA, Dr. Reid Anderson and partner Denise Grimes of Virginia Beach, VA, and Carolyn Anderson Styler and husband David Styler of La Canada, CA. Roy leaves four grandchildren, David Anderson, Kristen Anderson, Lauren (Styler) Vargas, her husband Rolando Vargas, and Lindsay Styler.
A celebration of the lives of Roy and Virginia Anderson was held February 23, 2013 at Christ Church, 1127 N. San Antonio Ave, Ontario, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Christ Church.