Keith R.W. Anderson

Keith R.W. Anderson, 93, of Sioux City passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at Sunrise Retirement Community from congestive heart failure. Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, 6200 Morningside Ave. with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m. Keith R.W. Anderson was born on June 28, 1921, in Gowrie, Iowa, the son of Clarence and Edith Anderson. Keith was a star basketball and baseball player in high school. He was a pitcher on the baseball team at the University of Iowa. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Dec. 9, 1941. During World War II, Keith was a Naval pilot. He was stationed at Floyd Bennett Field in New York and flew Hellcat planes. He married Lois Mary Metzger from Iowa City, Iowa, on Jan. 4, 1944. Keith graduated from the University of Iowa after returning from war. He graduated with a BS in 1948. He received a master's degree in administration education. Teaching was very important to him. he taught at East Junior High in Sioux City. He did post graduate work on a doctoral degree in education. Keith was an elementary school principal for 30 years at Washington Elementary School. He retired in 1982. Keith loved adventure and travel. He traveled through Europe and loved to study his Swedish heritage. His spirit was that of a Viking. He traveled to many states, mountain hiking and fishing were his pleasures, as well as golf. Life was always exciting and interesting to him. His family and friends were a very important part of life. He was a charter member of Morningside Chapter of Kiwanis. He was a member of Nativity Church. After 47 years of marriage, his wife, Lois Metzger Anderson passed away. He married Lois Rysta in December 1998. Keith is survived by his wife; his four children, Markie Anderson Pinnell of Des Moines, Gwen Anderson Pippett (Clarence Pippett) of Sioux City, Loma Anderson Olson (Tom Olson) of Littleton, Colo., and Ted Anderson (Liisa Anderson) of Littleton; seven grandchildren, Dr. Emily Pinnell Murphy (Joe Murphy) of Florida, Greg Pinnell (Emily Pinnell) of St. Paul, Minn., Megan Pinnell Blumfelder (Alex Blumfelder) of Boulder, Colo., Nathan Pippett (Alanna Clark) of Vail, Colo., Genell Pippett Hogan of Houston, Texas, Lars Anderson of Denver, Colo., and Kirsti Anderson of Littleton; and two great-grandchildren, Grace Pinnell and Sophia Pinnell. Keith was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Edith Anderson; his sister, Audrey Brundage; and his first wife, Lois Metzger Anderson. Memorials may be given to Hospice of Siouxland or the Humane Society. His loving spirit will live on as he embarks on his final adventure to meet his Lord and Savior.