Robert B. Anderson

Robert B. Anderson, 99, resident of Ocala, FL formerly of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; Tucson, AZ; Goshen, NY, and Norfolk CT. passed away in Ocala on September 30, 2024.  He was preceded in death by Betty Elaine Anderson of Ashley Falls, MA, his wife of 67 years.  Robert was born in Seacliff, NY on September 22, 1925, the son of James Harry and Sophie Wilhelm Anderson.  He grew up in Glen Cove, NY where he had many friends and adventures. He spent many summers visiting the Wilhelm family farm is Ashley Fall, MA and worked full-time both before and after his military service.

        He was drafted into the Army in 1944 at the age of eighteen and was assigned to the 63rd Infantry Division, 255th Regiment, Company B, 2nd Platoon, 2nd Squad.  In December 1944, his unit arrived at the front in France and was in combat for 129 days.  Beginning in Schirrhein, France, he fought across the Siegfried line, through Heidelberg into southern Germany and finished in Landsberg am Lech, Germany.  He was promoted to Squad leader in March 1945.  While leading, he was the first American through the gate when his squad liberated the Kaufering III Nazi work camp, a subcamp of Dachau, near Landsberg am Lech, Germany on April 29, 1945.  During his service he was awarded a Bronze Star for heroic achievement and a Purple Heart

        After the war, Robert married Betty and worked in dairy and beef farming in New England and New York for twenty years before becoming an Optical Lab technician in the early 1960’s. He remained in this trade until his retirement in 1995. They lived in Tucson, AZ from 1979 until 2014 when they moved to Palm Beach Gardens, FL to be closer to family.  

        After his retirement he wrote a memoir of his time in the army, “My Experiences as a Combat Infantryman; 1944 -1946” which can be found in the Library of Congress under the Veteran History project. He was awarded the French Legion of Honor by the French Senate in 2016 for his service in France during WWII. 

        For the last eight years of his life, Robert found great joy in sharing his first-person accounts with students studying WWII and the holocaust at Independence Middle School and the greater Palm Beach County Florida School District. He was known to hundreds of 8th grade students.

        He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Harry and Ralph, his sisters Elizabeth and Helen, and his son Robert Lee who was killed in combat in 1969 during the Vietnam War. Robert Lee’s death was his greatest sorrow. He is survived by sons Richard with his wife Bridget and William with his wife Janina, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

        Family and friends are invited to a graveside service with military honors on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 11AM at Salisbury Cemetery, Salisbury, CT.  Ryan Funeral Home, 255 Main St., Lakeville, CT is assisting Robert’s family with arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard online at MemorialHonorGuard.com.  

Contributions can also be made by mail at the following mailing address:              

Memorial Honor Guard

            2306 SW 20th Ct

            Ocala, FL 34471

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