David R. Anderson

David R. Anderson

August 21, 1940 – November 18, 2021

The family will receive friends on Monday, November 22nd from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at the West Center Chapel, followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 6:30pm.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Tuesday, November 23rd at 10am at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 11802 Pacific Street.  Interment: Calvary Cemetery.  Memorials will be directed by the family.

To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service, Mass, and Graveside Services, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button on the home page.

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David Anderson, 81, of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away in the early morning hours of Thursday, November 18, 2021. He passed away in the comfort of his home due to a host of complications, including COVID-19, stemming from hip surgery in August.

David was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, son, and sibling. David was born in Monroe, Michigan on August 21, 1940, son of the late Claude and Peggy Anderson. He was the oldest sibling of two brothers and four sisters.

He is survived by his five children, Paul (Darla), Diane (Peter Baum), Michael, Mark, and Matthew (Jennifer), and 10 grandchildren: Taylor, Avery, David, Samantha, Jack, Nikki, Tyler, Alex, Jacob, and Joshua. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Peg, brother, Keith, sister, Judy, and wife of 53 years, Margaret.

David had a lifelong dedication to his Catholic faith and to St. Joseph. Margaret and he owned and operated Andersons’ Religious Articles for 15 years. His utmost priorities in life were God and family. He was the embodiment of providing the example of how to follow the former, to care properly for the latter. David exemplified the biblical mandate to love his wife, first. Because of this, all his children were blessed with a sense of security and unconditional love that was nothing less than permanent. All the interests he had in life, any activities he pursued, generally followed his desire to spend time with those he loved. He never needed time away to decompress or find himself.  David tenaciously sought out, worked hard towards, and myopically pursued the goal of being a loving husband and father. Unconditionally. He worked tirelessly day after day, month after month, year after year, and decade after decade to ensure that, through his own self-sacrifice, those he cared for, loved, and was granted stewardship over by God, need not ever worry nor want for anything in this life that truly mattered.

David had an intimidating presence. He played competitive football in both high school and college. His aura and personality, however, as a juxtaposition, was anything but. He was a gentle giant. He exuded calmness, patience, dignity, and a peacefulness and contentedness that stemmed from his spiritual life.  David was an extrovert and drew energy while in the presence of others. In a room full of people, he was easily the lit city on a hill at night – not through selfish intent to garner the spotlight on his own, but because others sought out his presence, his humor, and his wisdom.  His undeniable charismatic nature brought others unending joy.

David was a rock to so many people. If ever you felt lost in the wilderness of this world, he was on the other side of that tether that brought you back home. The tether always initially contained slack – his wisdom was such that he understood the basic human God-given need for freedom. That freedom entailed we attempt to find our own way, first.  David understood this more than most. If life ever got too difficult or you felt like you were succumbing to one of the many tragedies this world has to offer, all you needed to do was turn around and ever so gently tug on that ever-present tether. He was inexorably there to reel you back in.

In his absence, those who knew him best will never look at a lighthouse in the same way again. Even in death, he will forever serve that same life-long purpose.

 

2 Comments

  • Christopher Howdle Posted November 21, 2021 3:10 pm

    He always had a kind word to say to everyone

  • Andrea Kahan Posted November 23, 2021 6:07 pm

    I was never fortunate enough to to meet David in person, but I spoke with him a few times on the phone. He was steadfast in his love for his family, and especially his wife. God speed Sir, you’ve left behind a legacy of love.

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