Peter “Pete” Alden Anderson
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Memorial services for Peter “Pete” Alden Anderson, 81, Lawrence will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 22, 2019 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
Mr. Anderson was born October 17, 1937 in Minneapolis, MN, the son of Kenneth Eugene Anderson and Dorothy Smith Anderson. The family moved to Lawrence, KS in 1948 and Mr. Anderson attended Lawrence schools, graduating in 1955 from Lawrence High. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1960 with a BA in Fine Arts. While in KU he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi social fraternity, and was associated with Bell Music Company, Vickers Gift Shop, and Carl’s Fine Clothiers. College summers were spent counseling at Camp Lincoln in Lake Hubert, MN.
He married Joan A. Lobb on June 29, 1962. She survives of the home at Presbyterian Manor. Other survivors are son, Todd Anderson, a brother Philip Anderson and two granddaughters, Kayleigh and Meghan Anderson. Son Craig passed away in March 2017.
Mr. Anderson joined Maupintour, the Lawrence, KS group tour operator in 1964 and retired 35 years later in 1999. During the years with Maupintour he was involved with the production of domestic programs, public relations, and trade relations in the travel industry. He served on the boards of Travel Industry Association of Kansas, Travel Industry Association of America, and the National Tour Association where he was national president in 1988. He served on the board of the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau for several years. He received the first ever Kansas Governor’s Tourism Award from then Governor John Carlin in 1983.
In retirement Mr. Anderson was a volunteer at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and the Lawrence Visitor Center. In 2007 the National Tour Association presented their lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2009 the Lake Hubert Minnesota Camps presented their silver Legacy Award. The family suggests memorials to the Good Samaritan Fund at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Joan,
So sorry we’ve lost Pete. Sending prayers to you and your family.
Judy Billings
Joan
So sorry we’ve lost Pete. Sending prayers to you and your family.
Judy Billings
Todd and Family–
Your friends are with you in solidarity and prayer. May Pete’s memory always be a blessing!
Joan,
We are so sorry for your loss.
Barbara and Larry Brizendine
Joan: My deepest sympathy to you and the family. I considered Pete one of my closest friends. He was a bright guy with a great sense of humor. I will miss our chats and fun stories. God bless
I remember such wonderful times in the 80s when I was at Opryland Theme Park in Nashville and later when I was
Assistant Commissioner of Tourism for the state of Tennessee. I loved all of those NTA Conventions when the Tennessee delegation got to all hug Pete every year. Being on a tourism board with him was the best — good sense, good jokes, and just the best of times. He will be missed by so many people who loved him.
Charlotte Davidson, now in Lubbock Texas
Joan…
It was the annual Christmas Party; and, he was always on his “best behavior” at the table. But, back @ 1515 St. Andrews —- the Christmas Saint was the “rascal man!”
He was so bright…so aware. It is truly for “Pete’s sake” …. that we all are blessed to enjoy knowing how to present a smile to everyone we meet, at every moment, throughout the day………………………
Joan, we are thinking of you at this time. We are so sorry about your loss of Pete. Our prayers go out to you and your family. We’ll miss Pete a lot.
The Coplens
Dear Joan:
Pete was not only a dear friend, he was a mentor and the big brother I never had – who occasionally lead me astray.
Dear Joan, your Pete was one of the best. I have so many great memories of him when I worked for NTA and ever since. His greatest talent was keeping all of us NTA people in touch over all these years. He loved to tease me because he saw my first grandchild before I did because he was on a Boise trip and I was working in Lexington, Kentucky. Rest In Peace dear Pete, your friend Dee Minic.
Some of my best moments at my Presbyterian Manor town home were the times out back talking to Pete across our back yards. And after we both moved to the Big House, he kept me amused (well, not always!) with his old folks jokes via email. My prayers for him and his family.
Joan & Family,
So sorry to hear of Pete’s passing. I have such fond memories of Pete from NTA and beyond. He kept in touch with all us “old timers” and I loved hearing from him. Prayers for you and the family.
Dear Joan,
We are so sorry for your loss. Pete’s passing leaves a huge hole in our world, because he was the dearest, funniest, most ALIVE man any of us could ever hope to know. We will always treasure the time we spent with you, especially the occasional dinner get-togethers with Dot & Gene, Sue & Monte, and you & Pete. It was so hard to give those up when ill health limited activities, but Pete’s e-mails kept all of us old-timers in touch. We hold both of you in our hearts.
Much love to you,
Judy & David Stutenroth
I am so sorry that I did not have the opportunity to say goodbye to a longtime
great friend. We were email friends till the end and I can hear his laughter.
Thank you NTA for bringing Pete into my life.
Ed Camara-
Je suis desolee . . . I feared that Pete might beat me to the “rainbow bridge” . . . and now he has. Pete was among a very small handful of NTA friends and I know I speak for them when I pray that there should have been one last time we could have shared memories, jokes, and a scotch. From late nights at Mike V’s Place d’Armes Hotel to some late night “party” at a fancy schmancy Presidential Suite on the top floor in any one of a dozen or more convention cities, Pete was always the one to be invited first. His image will be indelibly etched in every corner of my tiny mind. We will all be joining you shortly, Pete . . . leave the door of the suite open.
Pete and I grew up together in Lawrence. Our fathers taught at KU in the same department and parents were always friends and neighbors
Then our lives came together at Maupintour where I worked for 15 years and Pete for over 30. We later had many dinners together with friends the Wards and Stutenroths. Joan, my heart breaks for you and for all of us in our loss of Pete. He made our lives happier for being in it together
Dick “Gabby” and Jan Wachter – Asbury, Iowa
I have known Pete since those days in the summer of 1958. I had just graduated
from Iowa University and accepted a summer position at Camp Lincoln in Minnesota at Lake Hubert. Both Pete and I were Cabin Directors. For many years we both had summer positions and always enjoyed those summers.
Afterwards Pete and I would write e-mails to each other each day for many, many
years. I will truly miss him because he was my best friend for many, many years.
My heart breaks with the news of his death and I am going to miss him for the
rest of our lives. God bless you Pete. Gabby Wachter – Asbury, Iowa
Joan, I was so sorry for the loss of Pete. I have good memories of fun times with Pete at so many NTA functions. He will be missed by many!
May the good Lord long bless his memory!
Dan Dipert
Joan I am sorry for the passing of Pete. He was one of my very favorite resident at the manor. I loved hom very much.
Fran Ward Long and Don Long:
Joan and family: We send our deepest sympathy to you on your loss of such a great and caring husband, father and friend. He was an inspiration to all.
Pete stands high on a universal great guy list! Besides, he was a wonderful person and loyal friend! I met him as a classmate in 7th grade and enjoyed his humor and wisdom for about 65 years. We shared classes, reunions, events and so much more as members of the same 1955 Lawrence High School Class. His father was my graduate school advisor at KU. So I have much respect for the Anderson family that extends to those who follow in his footsteps. May Joan and all of the Anderson family find peace in his profound love for you and so many others. Eugenia Leasure Bryan
Dear Joan, Todd and family, I know how heavy your hearts are and very greatly feel your sadness. Pete was one of a kind…and one of the kindness and most caring people I have ever known…not to mention that wicked sense of humor he had. If you hear a rumble, look upward. I am sure it will be Pete making St. Peter and all the angels laugh at one of his tales. Lord, how we will miss him, but he will live on forever in our hearts!
Joan and Family:
Will always remember Pete from high school. As a new kid at school, he was one of the first who befriended me and continued to be a friend through college and my life. Patty and I sympathize with your loss.
Joan, Todd & Family
Pete was one of the first people I ever met outside at NTA. He had a wicked sense of humor and we remained friends over all these years. I was so honored to be included in receiving his “joke” emails. Loved that and loved him. I will remember him fondly forever.
Dear Joan and Todd. , We were all so lucky to have Pete in our lives. My children are recalling the blast they had when Pete came to Montana. our tears will fade into laughter as we recall our fun times. Pete was the brother I never had; many of his friends fill the same. We are so glad we did have the time with you in Lawrence a few years ago and there we shared so many stories with you. Our prayers are with you . we are sorry we will not be able to be with you Friday. This golden age is not what we planned. Jim says to remember the hamburger lunch. Love Dottie. And Jim
Dear Joan and family,
I am saddened to hear of Pete’s passing and send love and condolences to you and your family as you bear the loss of this special man. Pete was riot – he shared his fun-loving spirit and wicked sense of humor with everyone around him. Pete was the NTA Chairman in 1988 which was during my early years at NTA. And while I loved his wit, perhaps what I appreciated most was his kindness. He cared deeply about his family and friends and made everyone feel at ease in his presence. He spoke often of you and his family. I know you will miss him. His industry friends will miss him too. Sending love and condolences,
Lisa Simon
Dear Joan,
Pete was the first NTA icon I met so many years ago. He left an indelible and lasting impression on me as a new kid on the block. He was a great leader and always with a great sense of humor. I was honored to have known this incredible man.
Deepest condolences to you and your family.
Bob Gilbert
Joan so sorry to hear of Pete’s passing we will all miss him. You are in our hearts and prayers. He will be watching over you with that big smile on his face that we all will remember.
Dear Joan and family–
Many thoughts and prayers during this challenging time.
We lived at the top of the hill on West 9th (all country, gravel, single lane road.). Dad was a teacher at Lawrence High School. He drove an old pick up to school and Pete was one of the students along that road that would hop in the back of his pickup and catch a ride to school every day. Such a special memory!
Pete was a very kind person, always had a great smile and encouraging words. We will definitely miss him.
Thoughts and prayers to you all during this difficult time. Pete was a recipient of several awards handed out by the Kansas Tourism office. He was a great asset to the state as well as the tourism industry. He will definitely be missed!
Dearest Joan and family,
Even though we knew the end was coming, it has left us with an empty feeling at
the loss of Pete. He was so well loved by so many, and it must fill your heart to
know how much he was loved and respected. Our love and prayers are with you
in this difficult time.
Dot and Gene Ward
Dear Joan and Todd,
Please know I share in your grief. It’s like the world isn’t the same any more. Who will keep us together now? Pete was a master at that. I always looked forward to hearing from him–and now the silence is overwhelming.
We all loved Pete, and love you too. Please know that Pete will always be in our hearts and thoughts.
Sincerely,
Lois
Dear Joan and Todd,
I miss Pete so much, and the world is so silent now. Who will keep us all together now? Pete was a master at that!
Please know that you are in our thoughts, our hearts, and our prayers.
Sincerely . . .
To the Anderson family
Pete was a classmate of mine from 1955. Always so sorry to hear of the passing of one of the special class of ’55. A star in the Heaven’s is shining a little brighter now. Deepest sympathy to the family and friends. Susan Noon
Joan, Todd and girls,
I’m so sorry to know I will not see that smile and the twinkle in his eye. When I was pregnant with my Sara it was critical when I went in to Pete’s office with a question to sit immediately. He was always out to make me laugh and I was always worried for a wet surprise if I wasn’t sitting. He was so much fun. I was honored to be with him in Nashville at the last NTA before he retired. It was so incredible to see how many people loved and cherished him in the industry.
There are no words but take heart with the image of him somewhere regaling other spirits with his jokes.
F OR OUR GRANDCHILDRYES ., HOW LUCKY WE LAWENCE LIONS WERE TO HAVE PEOPLE LIKE PETE AND SO MANY IN OUR YOUTH. NOT ONLY BUT TO GROW UP IN WHAT WAS SUCH A NORMAL ENVIRORMENT . EACH GENERATION MANAGES HOWEVER TO MAKE IT REGARDLESS OF THE ISSUES THEY FACE.WE WERE SO LUCKY TO HAVE PETE AND SO MANY IN OUR GENERATION, AND TO GROW UP IN LAWRENCE WAS THE FROSTING ON THE CAKE !!