David "Chaps" Anderson

David "Chaps" Anderson passed away peacefully, surrounded with love by family at his home on July 26th, 2016. Born September 16th, 1947 in Norway Michigan, David is son of the late Robert and Doris Anderson of Gladstone. Raised on East “A” Street in Iron Mountain, David graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1965. While in school, he took an active role in sports, and sang lead tenor a gospel quartet dubbed “The Messengers”. Upon graduation, David attended Bethel College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, receiving a Bachelors before serving proudly in the Vietnam War with the 85th Evac. Hospital situated in Phu Bai. In Vietnam, he worked as a combat medic from 1970 to 1971, receiving commendations for his performance and making friends in arms that remained dear to him for the rest of his life. After his service, he answered a call to the Ministry, receiving a Masters of Divinity degree from Bethel Theological Seminary in 1977. After graduating from Seminary, he served the Oakdale Community Church in West St. Paul as pastor from 1979 to 1982, and was ordained there by the American Baptist Churches in 1980. On August 25th, 1978, he married the love his life, Marie (Née Polivka), spending 38 happy years together. David and Marie had two sons, Seth and Nathan, and together the four shared a close relationship that only matured as the years progressed. In 1986, Rev. Anderson took a year-long residency in clinical pastoral education at the Carle Foundation Hospital and Clinic in Urbana, Ill. A lifelong impulse to serve finally led him back full circle to his cherished community in Iron Mountain, where he served as the Chaplain of the Dickinson County Healthcare System from 1987 to 2014. In one of the crowning achievements of a life devoted to serving God, Rev. Anderson answered a second, late-career call to Ministry at Grace Presbyterian Church in Sagola Michigan, where he served as pastor until the end of his life. David was a 25 year member and former President of the Kiwanis Club, a local leader in Habitat for Humanity, humble former Caddie and later avid member of the Pine Grove Country Club. He had a deep, spiritual connection to the North Woods, finding abundant, inexhaustible joy in God’s creation during the countless fishing and hunting trips he made both with close companions, and on his own. Through his life and work, he displayed a deep commitment to God, sharing what he learned with others, while remaining humble, ever approachable and supernaturally funny. As God’s servant, as father, and as friend, David’s absence will be greatly felt by those who loved him, and those he touched during the course of his remarkable life. David is survived by his devoted wife Marie, his adoring sons Seth (Lucy Joyce) and Nathan Anderson (May Wong), his Sister Mary Jo Valentine of Grand Rapids, Susan Krumlauf of Minneapolis (Steve), and a beautiful group of nieces that were like second daughters to him. Visitation will be on Thursday, July 28th from 3:00-6:00pm at First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford and from 9:00-11:00am Friday at First Presbyterian Church. Memorial services will be on Friday at 11:00am at First Presbyterian Church. Rev. Michael March will officiate. Burial will be in Iron Mountain Cemetery Park. Memorials may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society. Condolences to the family of David Anderson may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

David "Chaps" Anderson

September 16, 1947 - July 26, 2016