John Anders Anderson passed away Feb. 18, 2018.

Adventure, curiosity, humor, loyalty, generosity — these are qualities that John expressed. He loved working with his hands, whether landscaping, or woodworking. Photography was a passion — taking thousands of pictures of dawn and the ferry, or details of nature on many traveling adventures.

History of anything engaged him, whether in books or on film. He always had a pun or a joke or a story.

He was unfailingly loyal and generous, a devoted husband and loving father.

He loved boating, skiing and traveling. He contributed greatly to his community, on the Bainbridge Performing Arts Board and building sets, running for the city council, serving his church, cleaning the pond at the library or helping to organize neighborhood parties.

An ardent Nebraska Cornhusker fan, he could be found in full red regalia watching Nebraska football games. He always said Nebraskans have football in their water.

Born in Columbus, Nebraska on May 27, 1948 to Margaret Pearse Anderson and Dr. Ronald C. Anderson, John graduated from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and did graduate work in art history at Penn State and business at the University of Minnesota. He earned a master’s degree in arts administration from Sangamon State University (now the University of Illinois) in Springfield, Illnois.

He owned a picture framing shop and gallery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In 1976, he met his wife, Susan Robinson, of Seattle, in St. Paul, Minnesota. They married in Bellevue, Washington in 1977 and returned to St. Paul, eventually returning to Seattle where their son, Joshua Reid, was born. They moved to Bainbridge Island in 1986.

John is survived by his wife, Susan; son, Josh of Squaw Valley, California; brother Don Anderson of Sarasota, Florida; and many extended family members.

Contributions can be made in his honor to the Nebraska Alumni Association, Bainbridge Performing Arts or Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network (BARN).

A joyful celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 12 at Bainbridge Performing Arts Playhouse. Bring a story about John.