Steven Henry Anderson
Stephen Henry Anderson, 65, longtime Vancouver area resident died May 27, 2009 at Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital in Vancouver.
He was the eldest of six sons, born Jan. 13, 1944, to Henry B. and Mary Joyce (Dalrymple) Anderson in Aberdeen.
He attended school in many places before graduating from Battle Ground High School in 1962. Steve then entered the United States Navy where he earned the rank of Electrician's Mate, First Class, and was honorably discharged in June of 1965.
He married Jennifer Shelton on June 11, 1966, in Goldendale. Steve then worked in construction for two years before forming a contracting company in Redding, Calif., with two of his brothers and his uncle. The couple's two children, Matthew and Michelle were born there. He left Anderson Construction to move to Goldendale, where the children attended school and the couple took over Ledbetter's Department Store.
While in Goldendale, Steve was president of the Jaycees Club and was instrumental in extending and lighting the Goldendale airstrip. In 1986, he and several business partners started a river barge repair service in Vancouver. The success of this relatively small venture led to purchasing the assets of Dillingham Ship Repair at Swan Island, and Cascade General Ship Repair was established.
As CEO, he was most proud of being able to pay as many as 800 workers a living wage, with good benefits, and with constant vigilance for their safety on the job. Steve always had an open door policy with his employees, and their well-being was his primary career goal.
The company was sold in 1995 and Steve took up fishing and golfing full-time. He was able to enjoy several summer salmon runs in Ketchikan, Alaska, and spent the rest of the year as an active member of Royal Oaks Golf and Country Club in Vancouver. An avid hunter, he hadn't missed an elk season with his brothers since 1974.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife Jenna, at home; two children and their spouses, Matt and Margaret Anderson of Centerville, and Michelle and Soren Roth of Vancouver; two grandsons, Mitchell and Lucas Anderson, both of Centerville; five brothers, Paul of White Salmon, Dick of Meridian, Idaho, Gary of Orting, Greg, and Don, both of Redding, Calif., as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
