Birth date: Sep 19, 1945 Death date: Sep 26, 2020
Obituary for Roderick Anderson, written by his second daughter Sheryl. Roderick Duane Anderson, age 75, passed away on September 26th, 2020 at Intermountain Medical Center due to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. He was born o Read Obituary
Rods Brother Richard, Great Nephew Jayden, and Nieces Husband Doug, all saluting Rod. Other Pictures include Rod’s Niece Rebecca, and his sister-in-law Patricia.
Rod and I shared a special bond over last 10 years of his life. I knew he genuinely loved my son and I and we loved him hard in return. I went and visited his grave today and just miss him dearly. Having him around would light up a room. I loved his stories in general but when he spoke about his pioneer heritage and his testimony of Joseph Smith being a Prophet of God, tears would fill his eyes and you would know he spoke the truth. He also would testify of his Savior Jesus Christ often even to random people at the gym that he felt needed to know. It brought him so much joy that he could introduce others to Christ. No one tells a story like Rod did. He had awesome stories that no one else knew about our ancestors and knowing those stories has blessed my life. Rod got incredibly close to my family the last 10 years of his life as he suffered much physically and needed extra support. Bonds he built of unconditional love are the reason so many of us truly do grieve and long to embrace him one day in our resurrected state. I love you eternally my sweet Uncle and best friend Roderick Anderson. Thank you for being our guardian angel at special times in our lives. Love your niece Rebecca.
I have a long story of Rod ... as I met him in final times of my life history that I chanced to rub shoulders with famous look alike personalities ... My mother red head was perhaps Jeanette McDonald, my dad smile of Maurice Chevallier...a cousin Rock Hudson , first husband married 1969 Jimmy Stewart, myself Lady Diana, oldest boy Prince William, second son Ricky Nelson, adopted daughter Shirley Temple.... on and on I chanced upon celebrates in my associates. My first marriage was byu 1969...we parted after five children final one adopted... in 1989. He remarried an Anette Funicillo who was high school love. I was placed in a rescue marriage to a Richard Dreyfus who had 3 children the ages of my seven year old and my oldest son on a mission. 15 years on that marriage
So I had a good R. Anderson friend and wife who divorced in my Oregon town sons Lincoln, Roman, Jacob and Brigham... We were friends he moving to Utah and so did I in year 2005.
Rod was at dances and resembled my Oregon friend . two years later Rod stepped into a print shop and I said, oh I know you from dances... what is your name... then he had the identical name or about... Of Oregon now Utah friend. So . the girl standing by me at the print shop...said to me , Was that Rod Anderson... I babysat for him in California and his wife was a pretty carol Burnette. Destiny was that I knew Rod five years or so prior to health reverses... He was the Spartacus in movies... I took this an very standard for my life. Words to me is that "Rod is sensitive to you"... we had a sweet friendship and perhaps I was a mother figure to him...I liked sweet little sons. A life time of rubbing shoulders with interesting celebraties... two letters from Lady Diana because I published poetry on motherhood I felt would help her. then letter from her son William at his wedding as I sent poetry again across the Atlantic . my grandmother two times great was 7th great granddaughter to edward the III... royalty traced to Adam. So many wonderful friendship times with Rod that ended at his health crisis years ago cheers to his loved ones I looked up his dates last week on family search and found he lived only one week past his 75th birthday.... Sometimes I gave him a birthday present... Special times with Rod...
In his late teens, Rod's nickname was "The Machine". When he pumped iron he looked like a machine! Rod was pretty much a power lifter all his life.
I am a cousin to Rod. I'm 10 years younger so over the many sleep overs we had at the Anderson home i often heard the exploits of Rod because his younger siblings idealized him, we all did. Disbite the age gap i was never treated any different then his friends except for his weights. Rod had a way about him that you felt a genuine love.
Sending condolences to family and friends of Rod. I was a distant acquaintance, who was saddened to hear of his passing.
My name is Marshall Thompson and I felt it was important for me to share who Rod Anderson was to me and my family. For as long as I can remember Rod was more than just a family friend. He was often over to our home having dinner with our family. I can still picture seeing Rod and my Dad talking after dinner hours after the rest of the family had finished eating and left the table. I think my Dad felt a special kinship to Rod when he found out Rod was born the day he and my Mom were married at the end of WWII.
For me personally, Rod was the closest thing to a super hero I've ever known. Even though I'm short in stature, Rod taught me to work out hard, strengthen my mind and body, and believe I could compete with anyone. My journey through athletic competition, and my 45 years as a high school wrestling coach has a lot to do with the inspiration he had in my life at a young age.
Rod is loved by my family, that includes my wife Keri, my parents Sam and Ruth (deceased), my brothers and sisters, and my cousins who know him in both California and Virginia. All of us will miss him.
Rod had a great life, I believe he was an inspiration to an unimaginable number of people. I also believe our Father in Heaven and son Jesus Christ treasure the influence for good he has had on so many.
On behalf of my wife Keri and our family I wish to express our love and sympathy for the loss of your brother, Dad, Grandfather, and friend.
Back in the late 60’s I was a student at the ‘Y’ in Provo 700 miles from South San Gabriel. I got a knock on my apartment door and much to my surprise there was Rod and Art Rios, my close friends. They had driven all night from Petrillos, a pizza parlor in San Gabriel. I was happy to see them to say the least. A joyous occasion.
In the scriptures we read about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He returned to his Apostles. They were overjoyed to see Him. He had returned from the dead and was now the Living Christ. We must be believing. God lives. He loves us, and He has a mission for us to do. Because He returned we will return also. I will see you again Rod and it will be great. You are indestructible Rod because Jesus loves You as He loves all of us. He died for our sins and through Him we glimpse eternity.
