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Arthur M. 'Andy' Anderson Richfield, MN QCWA # 1619 Chapter 8 Birthday March 28, 1915 |
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Anderson, Arthur Milton (WØHB "Andy") Age 95 of Richfield, MN passed away Oct. 16, 2010.
Born in Brainerd, MN (March 28, 1915) to Mabel and Arthur Anderson. Loving husband to Mary for 71 years; loving father to Sharon Dudziak (Joe), Julie Abel (Ian); four grandchildren, Greg Dudziak (Kristina), Pam Dudziak (Jacalyn), Trevor and Jemma Abel; four great-grandchildren, Justina, Katrina, Olivia and Delilah. Survived by sisters, Marion and Lois. Preceded in death by brother, John and sister, Dorothy. Milt was an amateur radio enthusiast and a licensed ham operator for 80 years.
At age 15, he obtained his ham radio license and built his first radio. As the oldest of five children, after his graduation in 1933, he had to leave home to 'seek his fortune'. His radio expertise enabled to him find employment. He was a 'radio expert' for a local garage, although he rarely saw a car radio; radio operator on a Mississippi river boat and on a merchant marine ship on the East Coast; and with KFJM radio station in Grand Forks because he could read Morse Code. Ultimately, in 1938, he became a radio operator with Northwest Airlines.
He was stationed in Chicago where he met his wife, Mary. During WWII, he was on active duty in the Aleutian Islands for NWA Military Air Transport operations on Adak. He later became a flight dispatcher in Minneapolis, chief flight dispatcher in New York City, and in 1954, one of the original Operations Planners for NWA.
After his retirement in 1978, he remained active in ham radio, took programming classes, became proficient with computers, taught programming to seniors, and built the original NWA retiree database.. He was helpful to friends and family and had ham friends throughout the world.
A memorial service will be held at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 6730 Nicollet Ave. S, Richfield, MN 55423 on Saturday, Nov. 6th at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Mt. Olivet Careview Home, 5517 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419. Interment will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in a private ceremony.
Published in Star Tribune on Oct. 24, 2010
